Republic of Italy

State · 1946–2026 CE · at its largest around 1973 CE

The Italian republic created by the 1946 referendum that abolished the monarchy. A founding member of NATO and the European Communities, it experienced rapid postwar economic growth.

On its lands while it lasted

Habib Bourguiba (1903 CE – 2000 CE): Tunisian nationalist leader who led the country to independence from France in 1956 and was its first president until 1987.
Pope John Paul II (1920 CE – 2005 CE): Karol Wojtyla of Kraków became the first non-Italian pope in 455 years in 1978. His papacy, until 2005, supported the end of communism in Poland.
Treaty of Rome (1957 CE): Signed in Rome in March 1957 by Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the treaty created the European Economic Community.
Second Vatican Council (1962–1965 CE): An ecumenical council held in St Peter's Basilica from 1962 to 1965 that modernised the Catholic Church, including allowing Mass in local languages.
Ljubljana (c. 1992 CE): Capital of Republic of Slovenia (1992–today).
Siege of Sarajevo (1992–1996 CE): Bosnian Serb forces besieged Sarajevo from April 1992 to February 1996, the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare. Over 10,000 people were killed.
Arab Spring (2010–2012 CE): A wave of protests and uprisings that spread from Tunisia across the Arab world, toppling rulers in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen and leading to civil wars in Syria and Libya.
Election of Pope Leo XIV (2025 CE): After the death of Pope Francis, the cardinals meeting in the Sistine Chapel elected Robert Francis Prevost pope on 8 May 2025. Born in Chicago, Leo XIV is the first pope from the United States.