Friday, January 28, 2011

Duke of the Abruzzis off to the North Pole

January 28, 1899

The Duke of the Abruzzis has left for the start of his his expedition to the North Pole.  Before he departed from Rome, his aunt, Queen Margherita of Italy, "presented him with an Italian flag," which she had embroidered with her own hands. 
"This flag shall wave over the north pole, or I shall not return," Prince Luigi said to his aunt.
According to the New York Times, the Queen "had difficulty in suppressing her emotion." She clasped her nephew's hands and exclaimed:  "You will return, Luigi.  You will return."

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