70 Years of Freedom in Rome

On April 4–5, IES Abroad Rome staff and students honored the 70^th anniversary of the 1944 Liberation of Rome, when the Allies freed it from German control during World War II. The events included a weekend conference at the IES Abroad Center and a day trip to Anzio, one of the most important sites related to the Liberation of Rome.

The first day was packed to the brim with interesting presentations and guest lectures, a film screening, discussions, and perspectives from two eyewitnesses who were in their early 20s during this historic period. Below is a snapshot of the agenda.

On the second day, the group traveled to Anzio, where they visited the Beachhead Museum, American cemetery and memorial, and Piana delle Orme Museum.

IES Abroad students listened as their classmates Zachary Davidson of Tulane University and Meghan Sanchez of Haverford College read aloud the Citations of Honour of U.S. Army Sergeant, Sylvester Antolak, and U.S. Army nurse, Ellen Ainsworth, who were both killed in Anzio.

The event was a great success, according to Center Director Dott. Gianni Ponti, and he passed along a quote that was in everyone’s minds throughout the weekend’s commemorative events:

“Freedom from fear, injustice, and oppression will be ours only in the measure that men who value such freedom are ready to sustain its possession–to defend it against every thrust from within and from without.” -Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, former Supreme Commander of Allied Expeditionary Force and U.S. President (D. Eisenhower, Crusade in Europe)

View photos of the events below.

_{Prof. Leopoldo Nuti presents on “The Second Front and the War in Italy”}

_{Eyewitnesses, Chiara Briganti and Gino Fiorentino, describe their experiences}

_{Eyewitnesses, Chiara Briganti and Gino Fiorentino, describe their experiences}

_{Anzio Beachhead War Museum}

_{Artifacts at the Anzio Beachhead Museum}

_{Prof. Renato Moro and Director Gianni Ponti talk with students}

_{IES Abroad students, Zachary Davidson and Meghan Sanchez, reads Citations of Honour}

_{Conference participants in front of restored US Army Sherman tank featured in
the movie «La Vita è Bella (Life is beautiful) by Roberto Benigni}