in History
Rome's last defender of a united realm
Born in the Pannonian town of Cibalae, Valentinian I would rise to become the second-to-last emperor to govern the Roman Empire as a whole. A fierce military commander, he fought successfully against the Alamanni, Quadi, and Sarmatians, strengthening the border fortifications and launching campaigns across the Rhine and Danube to hold back the tide of barbarian encroachment.
A director who revived a struggling industry
In Rome, Alessandro Blasetti was born into a country whose film industry was faltering. He would almost single-handedly revive Italian cinema in the late 1920s, earning the title 'father of Italian cinema.' His groundbreaking film Four Steps in the Clouds helped lay the foundations for Italian neorealism, influencing generations of filmmakers who followed in his visionary footsteps.
The SS United States sets sail on her maiden voyage to Southampton.
The SS United States sets sail on her maiden voyage to Southampton. During the voyage, the ship takes the Blue Riband away from the RMS Queen Mary.