Vincenzo Chillura
Vincenzo Chillura was born 124 years ago on August 27th, 1895, in Santo Stefano Quisquina Agrigento, Italy to his Father, Domenico Chillura and Mother Rosalia Mercadante...
** Interesting events that occurred around the World during Vincenzo's birth year of 1895 included...
• On February 20th, 1895 American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, statesman, and former slave Frederick Douglass passes away in Washington DC from a massive heart attack after giving a speech and receiving a standing ovation at a meeting for the National Council of Women.
• On February 25th, 1895 in Cuba the first rebellions take place marking the start of the Cuban War of Independence !!
• On March 3rd, 1895 in Munich, Germany, bicyclists are required to pass a test and display license plates
• On June 20th, 1895 the first female PhD from an American University is earned by Caroline Willard Baldwin ( In Science ) at Cornell University.
• On November 28th, 1895 the first American automobile race in history is sponsored by the Chicago Times-Herald. Press coverage first arouses significant American interest in the automobile.
• On December 17th, 1895 the Anti-Saloon League of America is formed in Washington, D.C. Eventually they would lead the way to Prohibition in the United States.
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Vincenzo was the youngest of six children born to his Mother and Father... He had three older Sisters ( Maria Angela, Rosalia, and Carmela - ** Carmela passed away at just 2 months old in May of 1893 ) and two Brother's ( Santo & Antonino )
On September 22nd, 1911 Vincenzo who had just celebrated his 16th birthday is brought to Palermo, Italy by his Father Domenico and departs to pursue the American Dream aboard the SS Calabria en route to Ellis island in the New York harbor !! ( Image of the SS Calabria's ship manifest showing Vincenzo aboard in comments below )
He arrives in New York 19 days later on October the 11th where he is met by his older Brother Antonino who is eight years his senior and already established in the cigar making capital of the World, Tampa, Florida...
The reunited brothers would live together in the Southern city where they both worked in the booming tobacco industry as cigar makers !!
Eight days after the official start of the Summer in 1916, Vincenzo Chillura would pass away on June 29th at the age of twenty one... According to his death certificate pneumonia was the culprit that took his life.
Vincenzo Chillura... Beloved Son and Brother