HISTORY PAGES
1887
Another life changing event for the country was the February earthquake of 1887 . One of the largest in regional history , it brought about some serious destruction , though miraculously sparing the Principality from any casualties .
At 6 am , on February 23 , the last day of the carnival before Lent , a dull noise was heard from the ground , furniture started moving and the walls began cracking ... After the initial wave of quakes , frightened people ran into the street many wearing only their nightgowns . Eyewitnesses at the time recall , however , that tourists did not get taken totally by surprise , trying to save as many jewels as they could carry . Panic stricken in the crowd , they lost some of them scattering them on the way . Hotel lobbies and corridors were eventually strewn with diamonds , sapphires and emeralds .
Casino Square was packed full . Someone suggested leaving on the first train , but the rails had already been pulled up altogether by the quake ... Certain people were trying to bribe coachmen to leave the danger zone as soon as possible . Others were seeking shelter on their yachts watching the earthquake from the sea . Most simply trusted themselves to the Almighty ’ s will and prayed for salvation ...
In the afternoon , the earthquake calmed down and the panic somehow subsided . People remained on the alert , however , and for a reason . By the evening , seismic activity resumed . Tourists and Monegasques were refusing to return to their lodgings . Squares , gardens and the streets of Monaco eventually filled up with tents and bonfires were blazing at dusk .
The last panic wave hit the Principality ’ s residents and visitors the next night , when the last tremors were heard . The earthquake with its epicenter in Liguria affected some 80,000 people . 635 residents of Imperia died , more than 500 were injured . The French Riviera counted and deplored the tragedy of its 8 dead and 51 wounded . The fact that no one was killed in Monaco was nothing short of a miracle .
1911
The winter of 1911 was marked by some major political events in the life of Monaco . On January 5 , the Principality ’ s Constitution was adopted , with the creation of the House of Representatives , naturally replacing “ absolute monarchy ” as a form of government .
Prince Albert I adopted the Constitution upon demand of Monaco ’ s population otherwise threatening to overthrow him and establish a Republic , like neighbouring France . At the time , Monaco residents were unhappy with the strong French presence both in their politics and economy . Unemployment was ravaging the country . The new Constitution gave satisfaction to his people , restoring the country ’ s finances and preserving a social balance .
According to the new Constitution , approved by Albert I , the legislative power in Monaco was divided between the Sovereign and the National Council elected by universal suffrage . Interestingly , Albert I was not the first reigning Prince of Monaco to consider creating a Constitution . His grandfather Florestan I tried to pass it twice in 1848 , but the political situation was not favourable back then .
Throughout the history of Monaco , the Constitution has been suspended three times by three different sovereigns , due to social and political upheavals . The first time it happened was during the reign of Albert I , on the occasion of the outbreak of the First World War . On December 24 , 1930 , his son Prince Louis II suspended the Constitution in response to strikes in the Principality . And finally , Rainier III , the grandson of Prince Louis , did the same on January 28 , 1959 due to political unrest and the requirements imposed by the National Council .
Suspended at the outbreak of World War I , the Constitution underwent some changes and was restored in 1917 . Next time it was amended was on December 17 , 1962 , and then in 2002 , modernizing Monaco ’ s institutional organization , updating it to that of nowadays .
On January 5 , 1911 the Principality ’ s Constitution was adopted , with the creation of the House of Representatives , naturally replacing “ absolute monarchy ” as a form of government .
Prince Albert I aboard a ship alamy . com
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