Why does Chicago have a monument named for fascist leader Italo Balbo?
About this episode
The episode explores the history and significance of a monument in Chicago dedicated to fascist leader Italo Balbo.
There’s an ancient Roman column in Chicago hidden in plain sight near Soldier Field. It was a gift given by Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini during the 1933-1934 Chicago World’s Fair, commemorating a daring transatlantic flight to the fair by Italian Air Marshal Italo Balbo. In a time when controversial monuments get removed, why does this one still stand? Written sources: “ Italo Balbo: A Fascist Life ” by Claudio Segré “ Broken Icarus: The 1933 Chicago World's Fair, the Golden Age of Aviation, and the Rise of Fascism ” by David Hanna “ Genocide in Libya: Shar, a Hidden Colonial History ” by Ali Abdullatif Ahmida “ Italo Balbo's Flight to the 1933 Chicago World's Fair ” by Don Fiore “ The meaning of monuments : Remembering Italo Balbo in Italy and the United States ” by Nick Carter “ Italian Colonialism ” edited by Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Mia Fuller
Topics covered
- monuments
- fascism
- Chicago history
- cultural controversies
- World's Fair
Keywords
- Italo Balbo
- Benito Mussolini
- Chicago monument
- fascism
- World's Fair
- Soldier Field
- controversial monuments
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Chicago, Soldier Field
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