Pact of Steel
The Pact of Steel obliged Germany and Italy to aid the other country militarily, economically or otherwise in the event of war, and to collaborate in wartime production.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1939 in Italy — Page 2
Explore 53 historical events and records for Italy in 1939.
Historical records for Italy in 1939
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 13 of 53 unique records.
53Unique records
2 of 2Page
11Named events on this page
4Named people on this page
2Places on this page
May
Pact of Steel
The first section was an open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy while the second, a "Secret Supplementary Protocol", encouraged a union of policies concerning the military and economy.
Pact of Steel
When Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 and war broke out on 3 September, Italy was not yet prepared for conflict and had difficulty meeting its obligations.
September
Visit to To Mussolini in Rome
Hitler pays a State visit to Mussolini in Rome
Other events (month unknown)
Columbia University Professorship
Joins Columbia University as professor of physics and continues neutron research soon after arriving in the United States.
Columbia Uranium Neutron Experiments
Conducts neutron experiments on uranium at Columbia University while investigating whether a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction could be achieved.
Columbia Uranium Neutron Investigations Start
Enrico Fermi investigated neutron multiplication in uranium systems after arriving in the United States. The project changed the techniques available to later investigators.
Fermi Szilard Neutron Experiments
Works with Leo Szilard and other collaborators on experiments designed to measure neutron production and absorption in uranium and graphite systems.
Graphite Moderator Studies
Investigates graphite as a neutron moderator while assessing whether a uranium and graphite assembly can support a sustained nuclear chain reaction.
Neutrality
Maintained neutrality during World War II
Pope
Appointed Pope
Recognition of Chain Reaction Possibility
Recognizes that uranium fission can release secondary neutrons and therefore may permit a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.
Roman Catholic Church
Becomes the patron Saint of Italy
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.