History of Sicily in Timeline

Sicily, the largest and most populous Mediterranean island, is an autonomous region in Italy with a rich cultural heritage. Home to 4.8 million people, its capital is Palermo. Named after the ancient Sicels, the island boasts unique traditions in arts, music, literature, food, and architecture.

1906: Targa Florio Race is Founded

The Targa Florio, a prestigious sports car race, was established in 1906 by Sicilian industrialist Vincenzo Florio.

December 1908: Messina Earthquake Devastates Sicily

On December 28, 1908, a devastating earthquake struck Messina, Sicily, resulting in the deaths of over 80,000 people.

1934: Luigi Pirandello Wins Nobel Prize

Luigi Pirandello, a renowned Sicilian writer, was honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1934.

July 1943: Allied Invasion of Sicily

On July 10, 1943, as part of World War II, Allied forces launched an invasion of Sicily. This event contributed to the political upheaval in Italy known as the 25 July crisis.

1943: Sicilian Independence Movement and the Triskeles Symbol

During World War II, the triskeles symbol was adopted by the Sicilian independence movement led by Andrea Finocchiaro Aprile, advocating for Sicily's independence with Allied support.

1943: Sicilian Independence Movement

The Sicilian Independence Movement (MIS) emerges in 1943, advocating for Sicily's separation from Italy.

May 1946: Sicily Granted Special Status within Italy

In May 1946, 18 days before the Italian institutional referendum, Sicily was granted special status as an autonomous administrative division within Italy.

1946: Italy Becomes a Republic; Sicily Gains Autonomous Region Status

In 1946, with the formation of the Republic of Italy, Sicily was officially recognized as one of five autonomous regions, granting it a unique status within the country.

1946: Sicilian Independence Movement Election Success

The Sicilian Independence Movement (MIS) achieved its greatest electoral success in the 1946 general election, securing 0.7% of the national vote and four seats.

1948: Sicilian Independence Movement Election Losses

The Sicilian Independence Movement (MIS) lost all of its seats in the 1948 general election.

1950: Start of Cassa per il Mezzogiorno Funding

Starting in 1950, Sicily began receiving funding through the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno, a program aimed at boosting the economy of Southern Italy.

1951: Decline of Sicilian Independence Movement

By 1951, the Sicilian Independence Movement (MIS) had lost its seats in the government and faded from prominence.

1959: Salvatore Quasimodo Wins Nobel Prize

Sicilian poet Salvatore Quasimodo received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1959.

1977: Targa Florio Race is Canceled

Due to mounting safety concerns, the Targa Florio race was canceled in 1977.

1981: Mount Etna's Height Decreases

In 1981, Mount Etna's height was recorded as being 21 meters lower than it was previously.

1984: End of Cassa per il Mezzogiorno Funding

In 1984, funding for Sicily through the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno program came to an end.

1990: Salvatore Schillaci's World Cup Triumph

At the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Sicilian footballer Salvatore Schillaci achieved the Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament's top scorer.

1990: Beginning of Unemployment Rate Decline

Beginning in 1990, Sicily's unemployment rate, which was around 23% started to decline.

August 1993: Nebrodi Mountains Regional Park Established

On August 4th, 1993, the Nebrodi Mountains Regional Park, the largest protected natural area in Sicily, was established. It covers 86,000 hectares and contains the largest forest in Sicily, the Caronia.

August 1999: Unofficial High Temperature Record in Catenanuova

On August 10, 1999, the weather station in Catenanuova, Sicily, recorded an unofficial high temperature of 48.5 degrees Celcius.

January 2000: Sicilian Flag Officially Recognized

In January 2000, the flag of the Regione Siciliana was officially recognized as the public flag of Sicily. A regional law was passed advocating its use on public buildings, schools, and city halls alongside the Italian and European flags.

2001: Opera dei Pupi Proclaimed by UNESCO

The Opera dei Pupi, Sicily's traditional puppet theater, was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001.

October 2005: Louis Vuitton Cup Comes to Trapani

Trapani played host to Acts 8 and 9 of the Louis Vuitton Cup, a prominent sailing race, from September 28th to October 9th, 2005.

2005: End of Unemployment Rate Decline

By 2005, Sicily's unemployment rate had dropped to around 11%.

2007: Louis Vuitton Cup Participants in America's Cup

Boats that participated in the Louis Vuitton Cup in Trapani in 2005 later competed in the 2007 America's Cup.

2008: Opera dei Pupi Inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

UNESCO inscribed the Opera dei Pupi on its Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists in 2008.

March 2009: Silvio Berlusconi Announces Messina Bridge Project

In March 2009, Silvio Berlusconi's government announced the construction of the Strait of Messina Bridge, intended to connect Sicily to mainland Italy.

December 2009: Planned Start Date for Messina Bridge Construction

December 2009, was set as the target date for the commencement of construction on the Strait of Messina Bridge.

2012: Communist Party Wins Seats in Sicily

For the first time, the Communist Party and its successors won seats in Sicily in 2012, challenging the traditional dominance of center-right parties.

2017: Sicilians Living Abroad

As of 2017, there were 750,000 Sicilians, which is 14.4% of the island's population, living in other countries.

2017: Immigrant Population in Sicily

In 2017, there were about 175,000 immigrants living in Sicily, out of a total population of 5,029,615.

2019: Police Investigation Reveals Mafia Links Between Sicily and the US

During the summer of 2019, a police investigation uncovered strong connections between the Sicilian Mafia, particularly in the Palermo area, and organized crime groups in the United States, specifically the Gambino crime family.

December 2020: Foreign Residents in Sicily

By December 31st, 2020, there were 186,195 foreign residents living in Sicily.

2020: Religious Demographics of Sicily

As of 2020, Roman Catholics in Sicily constituted approximately 99.2% of the population, while the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church comprised about 0.5%.