Italy

On December 21, 2020, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave conditional marketing authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech. Italy, being a member of the European Union, was part of the coordinated effort to administer vaccinations across EU nations. This marked a significant step towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely affected Italy, especially in its early stages.

On February 21, 2020, Italy confirmed its first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lombardy, which marked the beginning of a devastating outbreak. Italy became the epicenter of the pandemic in Europe, prompting nationwide lockdowns. The healthcare system was overwhelmed, and the country imposed some of the strictest measures globally to control the spread. This event had major social and economic impacts across Italy.

On August 20, 2019, the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned from his position following a government crisis triggered by Matteo Salvini, leader of the League. Salvini announced a motion of no confidence in Conte in a bid to force early elections after tensions rose within the coalition government. Conte's resignation led to political negotiations that resulted in the formation of a new government with a coalition between the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party.

Italy held its general election on March 4, 2018, resulting in a hung parliament. The election saw a significant rise in support for populist parties, particularly the Five Star Movement and the League. The traditional center-right and center-left parties saw substantial losses. The election highlighted the country's shifting political landscape, marked by growing euroscepticism and frustration with economic stagnation and immigration policies.

On August 24, 2016, a severe earthquake struck Central Italy, affecting regions such as Lazio, Marche, and Umbria. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2 and caused significant destruction, particularly in the town of Amatrice, where many buildings were destroyed, and hundreds were killed. The disaster highlighted Italy's vulnerability to seismic events. Rescue and recovery efforts were massive, and the quake had long-term effects on the communities involved.

On February 28, 2013, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to four years in prison. His conviction stemmed from his involvement in a scheme to buy television rights at inflated prices through his media company, Mediaset. Berlusconi's legal battles have been a staple of Italian political life, and his conviction marked a significant moment in his long and controversial career. He later served community service instead of prison time.

On November 12, 2011, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigned from office amidst a severe economic crisis and loss of parliamentary support. His resignation ended a prolonged period of political dominance in Italy. Berlusconi's tenure was marked by economic challenges and numerous scandals, both legal and personal. Following his resignation, technocrat Mario Monti was appointed as the Prime Minister to lead a government focused on economic reforms.

The 2006 Winter Olympics were held in Turin, Italy, from February 10 to February 26. Turin became the first city in Italy to host the Winter Games. The event featured several new sports and brought together athletes from across the globe. Italy used the opportunity to showcase its culture and hospitality on the world stage. The games were seen as a successful event that boosted tourism and international recognition for Turin and the surrounding Piedmont region.

The 27th G8 summit was held in Genoa, Italy, from July 20–22, 2001. The summit was marked by massive anti-globalization protests that resulted in clashes between demonstrators and police. The controversial events included the death of a protester, Carlo Giuliani, during a confrontation with police. The summit became a focal point for discussions on global economic issues and is remembered for the significant security and political challenges it presented.

On September 26, 1997, a series of earthquakes hit the regions of Umbria and Marche in central Italy. The earthquakes caused extensive damage in towns like Assisi, where portions of the Basilica of Saint Francis collapsed, killing several people. The seismic activity continued over several weeks, leading to a humanitarian crisis with homeless victims and large-scale reconstruction efforts. It renewed awareness of seismic risks in Italy and highlighted the need for stringent building regulations.