Today is Foundation Day in San Marino. It commemorates the foundation of San Marino on this day in 301 AD by Saint Marinus.
During the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284 – 306 AD), the imperial view of Christianity became less benign and Christians were increasingly being persecuted and killed for their faith.
In this atmosphere, Marinus, a stonemason, fled from Dalmatia (in modern-day Croatia) to escape from religious persecution for his Christian beliefs. He arrived at Monte Titano, where he founded and built a chapel and a monastery.
Over the years, the monastery and the area around it grew until a sizable population had been established, safe high in the mountains from the persecution of Diocletian. When the mountain people were discovered, the landowner Felicissima bequeathed it to the community in perpetuity.
The first mention of a church named after Saint Marinus dates to the year 530. Today the old church has been replaced on the site by the Basilica of San Marino, which was built in the 19th century.
I hope you celebrated Labor Day!
Today is the birthday, in 1945, of George Biondo, from Steppenwolf who had the 1969 US No.2 hit single ‘Born To Be Wild’. Steppenwolf sold over 25 million records worldwide, released eight gold albums and scored 12 Billboard Hot 100 singles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egMWlD3fLJ8
