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Garibaldi in Palermo in 1860. Photo by, Gustave Le Gray (1820-1884)-

Top 10 Unknown Facts about Giuseppe Garibaldi

Giuseppe Maria Garibaldi was an Italian General, revolutionary, republican and patriot. Regarded as one of Italy’s “fathers of fatherland”, he was a major influence that led to the formation of the Kingdom of Italy and Italian unification. 

Giuseppe is also known as the “Hero of the two worlds” because of his military enterprises in Europe and South America. After participating in an uprising in Piedmont, he was conflicted to death but managed to escape to South America. 

It is in this continent where he took part in several war and also learnt a thing or two about the tactical guerilla warfare. In 1848, the revolutionary returned back to his home area and sought bring an unification to his country. 

1.Giuseppe Garibaldi was inducted into Free Masonry

Portrait of Garibaldi in 1848. Photo by, Gaetano Gallino (1804 – 1884)-

Giuseppe joined free masonry whilst in Brazil. He had the first hand advantage since the group considered and welcomed political refugees from European countries.

At the age of 37, Giuseppe was initiated in the L’ Asil de la Vertud Lodge of Montevideo. This was a Brazilian Freemasonry that wasn’t recognized by the main Masonry board. 

Giuseppe being an active member of the freemasonry, he believed that the ritual acted as a chain that unified progressive men as brothers within the same community. 

2. Giuseppe Garibaldi has Five Italian Navy ships named after him

Clipper ship Garibaldi. Photo by, G.F. Nesbitt & Co., printer – Westward by Sea: A Maritime Perspective on American Expansion, 1820-1890-

Due to the heroism he portrayed to his country, Giuseppe truly deserves commemoration. Five ships of the Italian Navy have been named after him, with one of them being a world war 2 cruiser. 

Statues have also been made and stand tall in not only some parts of Italy, but also in other countries. Several worldwide military units are named after Garibaldi, including the Polish Garibaldi region. 

A trophy has also been named after him. Known as Giuseppe Garibaldi trophy, is a rugby union trophy awarded to the winner of the Six Nations Championship match between Italy and France. 

3. Giuseppe Garibaldi died of arthritis

Funeral of Garibaldi. Photo by. Frank Dadd-

He ailed of arthritis which forced him to be bed ridden. Fortunately, he managed to move about and make trips to Sicily and Calabria. 

As they say, all that has a beginning has an end. Unfortunately, his life was cut short as he was declared dead on 2nd June 1882. Before his death, his bed was moved to where he could vividly see the sea. 

His wish for a simple burial and cremation were not fulfilled as he was laid to rest in his farm of the Island of Caprera. 

4. Giuseppe Garibaldi despised the Catholic religion

Giuseppe was a stern anti-Catholic. This was evident for he wanted to cut the religion short by overthrowing the pope. His efforts were evident for they later brought anti-Catholic riots across Britain.

Garibaldi’s distaste for the religion brought great controversies and distrust among the Catholic believers.  

5. Giuseppe Garibaldi was born in France

House in which Garibaldi was born. Photo by, Blackett, Howard-

Giuseppe was born on the 4th July 1807. He  was born to Domenico Garibaldi who was a pilot in a trading ship and a pious woman, Rosa Raimondo. 

His initial birthplace was in Nice, an area located in France and he got is christened name Joseph Marie Garibaldi. 

6. Giuseppe Garibaldi normalized the wearing of red shirts when going to war

Battle of Calatafimi. Photo by, Remigio Legat-

Red is well known as a color of revolution. Giuseppe revolutionized his guerilla fighting countrymen to wear red shirts. They acquired these attires from intercepting a shipment of clothing on its way to a slaughter house to Bueno Aires. 

The shirts were to be used to in the slaughter houses so as to conceal the blood of cattle. They were later on used for the same purpose but for different beings. With these shirts, patriotism and unification were enhanced step by step. 

7. Giuseppe Garibaldi joined his father at sea when he was fifteen years old

His father’s occupation brought a sense of admiration to Giuseppe. This pushed him to have an interest for the sea expedition. 

At the age of 15, Giuseppe would accompany his father to the sea and watch him carry out his occupation at its very best. As he matured, he carried on various sea occupations for he had picked up a thing or two about the occupations. 

In 1832, he got a certification as a merchant marine captain. Later on, he would get to use this experience as a pirate and revolutionary. 

8. Giuseppe Garibaldi sought other jobs after his unsuccessful political run

Giuseppe Garibaldi later went back into the Sea trading having realized that his political will is unachievable. He then decided to go look and try out different job opportunities. 

His efforts were futile as he did not land any job in the sea industry. Later on, he bought a ship by garnering up his income that he had gotten as a commander of a trading ship. 

With this ship, he would use it into the return of his political era and fight for what is believed to be right. 

9. Giuseppe Garibaldi was greatly assisted by the United Kingdom and the United States

Garibaldi is welcomed by cheering crowds in Trafalgar Square as he arrives in London, England. Photo by, Unknown author-

His zeal to fight for what is right and his military expedition was greatly admired across most of the continents. 

With this admiration in upper hand, he was able to easily get aid that would greatly push his influence. Those that came to his aid were political leaders from two of the best countries i.e United Kingdom and United States. 

They volunteered to offer financial and military support in difficult circumstances. The Queen of England was a great fan of his work to, unify Italy. 

10. Giuseppe Garibaldi got married thrice

His first love of his life was Ana Ribeiro da Silvaor, popularly known as Anita, who he met in Brazil when he escaped from his sentence in Italy. They got married  in 1842 and had four children. Unfortunately, she died in 1849. 

Eleven years later, he got married to Giuseppina Raimondi, who was 18 years at that time. Soon after they tied the knot, he later found out that the woman was pregnant with another man’s child and this led to Giuseppe leaving him instantly. 

As they say, the third time always works like a charm. He got married to his long life companion Francesca Armoniso  in 1880. They were blessed with four children, and three of them were brought to life even before the couple tied the knot. 

Giuseppe Garibaldi will truly be remembered for all the hard work he put in so as to bring about equality in the two continents, Europe and South America. His life brings a stimulation to the people to always fight for what is right without the urge to give up. Giuseppe’s legacy continues to exist in today’s world.