| November 8 2023 |
Colpo di fulmine by Giuseppe Pinuccio Gianduia and Sopravvissuta by Annamaria Guidi: two valuable stories by two native people of Olgiate Olona, a living and precious memory of the plane crash
Colpo di fulmine (ligthning strike), by Giuseppe Pinuccio Gianduia |
| October 11 2023 |
 Saturday October 11, 2008, in the town hall of Olgiate Olona the presentation of the book Il disastro aereo del 26 giugno 1959 a Olgiate Olona revived the memory of the plane crash handed down for years only orally by eyewitnesses, which had become faded and did not correspond to the essentiality of the facts. Alberto Colombo’s book will be completed by Settanta vite immortali: volume commemorativo 50° anniversario disastro aereo 26 giugno 1959 Olgiate Olona in 2009, and by the website OlgiateOlona26giugno1959.org in 2013 which keeps updated on the commemorative events taking place in Olgiate Olona and awarded with a medal by the President of the Italian Republic in 2011. On November 15, 2008, the weekly TV program TGR Lombardia on RaiTre broadcast Il cielo in fiamme report by Alberto Mentasti dedicated to the plane crash of Olgiate Olona. And the journey of memory invigorated 15 years ago continues in the name of the seventy immortal lives and of those who care about them... |
| September 29 2023 |
 22 years after Milan-Linate air disaster – the worst disaster of civil aviation in Italy -, on Sunday October 8, 2023, the second Giornata per non dimenticare will be celebrated; Municipality of Milan, Sea, Comitato 8 ottobre and Fondazione 8 ottobre will remember the 118 victims – whose memory is preserved in Olgiate Olona by a stone posed in 2011 near the memorial of the plane crash – with an event for the relatives in Sala Assi of Palazzo Marino at 3pm, with the Mass in the Santa Maria della Passione church at 5pm and with a concert in Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi at 6.30pm. |
| September 22 2023 |
 Giorgio Napolitano (1925-2023), senator for life, President emeritus of the Italian Republic, passed away on 22 September 2023. The promoting staff of the commemorative events of June 26, 1959, expresses condolences to the family members and with gratitude remembers the former head of State who in 2011 rewarded with his medal the high value of the commemorative events of Olgiate Olona plane crash, starting from the educational project in memory of the crash addressed to the new generations; thus President Napolitano honored the seventy immortal lives, their families, the community of Olgiate Olona and those who remember the plane crash of Olgiate Olona in various capacities. |
| August 2 2023 |
55 years ago, the plane crash of Cuirone of Vergiate: Antonio Monti’s testimony |
| June 28 2023 |
 The ceremony of June 26, 2023, in the town hall was attended by relatives of the seventy immortal lives coming from the Unites States of America and from Italy, local associations, the ten students in the eighth grade of Olgiate Olona authors of the deserving works produced in the thirteenth edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959: all awarded with a certificate of merit, the authors of the best three works read their own works and received a book coupon sponsored by the relatives of Pietro Castelnovo. The work Settanta vite perse in un secondo by Samuele De Paola, third classified, received the 2023 Special award. Two certificates of thanks were given: to the civil protection of Olgiate Olona who has taken care of the area of the memorial monument for 20 years; to the relatives of Giuseppina Airaghi Landoni (1910-1993) who have maintained the decorum of Maria Fermi Sacchetti’s grave in the civic cemetery for 30 years.
Commemoration of June 26, 2023, documents and photo galleries Thirteenth edition of the educational project: the ten works awarded |
| March 28 2023 |
The website in memory of June 26, 1959, turns 10
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| March 4 2023 |
Thirteenth edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959 |
| October 10 2022 |
Saturday October 8, 2022, in the 21st anniversary of Milan-Linate air accident, the worst disaster of Italian civil aviation, the first National Day Not to forget was held to remember the victims and raise public awareness on transport safety. Municipality of Milan, Sea, Comitato 8 ottobre committee and Fondazione 8 ottobre foundation commemorized the 118 victims of Milan-Linate - in Olgiate Olona a stone placed in 2011 near the monument of the plane crash is dedicated to the victims - in the Mass presided by archbishop of Loreto Monsignor Fabio Dal Cin at Bosco dei faggi at 10 a.m. |
| July 27 2022 |
 63 years after the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959, an unpublished photograph of the days following the disaster has appeared: the shot immortalizes the rudder of the unfortunate TWA aircraft that crashed in the town on a boundary wall in the locality of Garottola. In the last six decades and more, the precious and up to now unpublished photograph has been preserved in a framework by Valerio Colombo, great-uncle of Anita Garindo, student of Olgiate Olona in the eighth grade participant in the twelfth edition of the educational project in memory of the plane crash, whose work Il cielo ha visto was awarded as the best ever at the ceremony of June 26, 2022. The promoting staff of the commemorative events of June 26, 1959, thanks Valerio Colombo who decided to donate this precious photographic testimony to Olgiate Olona community. |
| June 27 2022 |
 The commemoration of June 26, 2022 held in front of the memorial monument was attended by the relatives of the seventy immortal lives coming from Italy, a delegation of Comitato 8 ottobre committee, associations of Olgiate Olona and Arma Aeronautica association of Gallarate, the five students of Olgiate Olona authors of the deserving works produced in the twelfth edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959: all awarded with merit certificate, the first classified author read her work and received a book-coupon sponsored by architect Maria Chiara Bianchi.
Commemoration of June 26, 2022, documents and photo gallery Twelfth edition of the educational project: the five works awarded |
| June 10 2022 |
Commemoration of 63rd anniversary: ceremony on Sunday June 26, 2022
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| February 25 2022 |
Twelfth edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959 |
| January 20 2022 |
Enac to propose a National Day to remember the victims of air accidents |
| December 9 2021 |
 On December 7, 2021, on the occasion of the patronal feast of Saint Ambrose, one of the twenty certificates of civic merit conferred by the Municipality of Milan to individual citizens and associations distinguished for particular merits was delivered to Comitato 8 ottobre per non dimenticare committee. The committee for two decades has gathered the relatives of the 118 victims of the Milan-Linate air disaster (October 8, 2001), it is constantly committed to protecting the safety of passengers and assisting the relatives of the victims of air disasters, and - with the Fondazione 8 ottobre foundation - it promotes improvements in the field of aviation safety. |
| November 29 2021 |
 On Saturday November 27, 2021, in Santi Innocenti church of Olgiate Olona (in the complex of Villa Greppi-Gonzaga, seat of the Municipality), ten most deserving works produced by the students in the eighth grade of Dante Alighieri school in 2019/2020 school year with the 11th edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959, were awarded. All the authors of the works – invited to attend with their parents – received a merit certificate; authors of three best works, Gabriel Mazzilli, Rachele Maria Vittoria Scordamaglia Ferrari and Gianluca Albè received also a book-coupon sponsored by Assistenza e sicurezza Olgiate Olona of Fabio Casarotto. |
| October 14 2021 |
The homily of Archbishop Mario Delpini on the twentieth anniversary of Milan-Linate air disaster |
| October 11 2021 |
 October 8, 2021, marks the twentieth anniversary of Milan-Linate air disaster, the most serious of civil aviation in Italy. On September 24, 2021, at Palazzo Marino in Milan, the seat of Municipality, the book of Francesca La Mantia titled Non è colpa della nebbia. La tragedia di Linate raccontata ai ragazzi (trans. It’s not fog’s fault. Linate tragedy told to young people) was presented. On Friday October 8, 2021, at Bosco dei faggi, Municipality of Milano, Sea, Comitato 8 ottobre committee and Fondazione 8 ottobre foundation remembered the 118 victims - originating in 14 countries, 64 the Italian ones: at 10.30 a.m. the Eucharist was presided over by the Archbishop of Milan, Monsignor Mario Delpini. Since 2011, the community of Olgiate Olona remembers this disaster with a stone posed near the memorial of the plane crash of 1959 in presence of the relatives of the victims of Milan-Linate disaster and of the unforgotten first president of Comitato 8 ottobre committee, Paolo Pettinaroli, defender of justice and hope who prematurely passed away in 2015. On the 62nd anniversary of Olgiate Olona plane crash, on June 26, 2021, the promoting staff of the commemorative events proposed on this website as an international prayer of suffrage the passage from the Gospel of Luke chosen and evoked by Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini in the homily of the Mass celebrated in Duomo in Milan for the victims of the air disaster of October 8, 2001. |
| September 13 2021 |
The copy of the Madonna of Loreto in Milan-Malpensa airport till September 17, 2021 |
| July 9 2021 |
 One year ago (on July 6, 2020) Giuseppe Mario Cerana - eye-witness of the plane crash and volunteer in the welding of coffins - joined the seventy immortal lives. While tidying up his personal belongings, Cerana’s relatives have found two precious testimonies he had kept: the negative of a photograph showing the rudder of the unfortunate TWA aircraft crashed on the boundary wall of a textile factory in Olgiate Olona, and a simple handwork with the same photograph embedded built by Cerana in memory of those indelible days. By thanking Cerana’s family, the staff of the commemorative events of June 26, 1959, once more, fondly remembers Giuseppe Mario.
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| June 29 2021 |
 Ten years have passed since 2011 when the commemorative events of the plane crash of Olgiate Olona were awarded the medal of the Presidency of the Italian Republic. It was an important and significant award that embellished both the work of the volunteers dedicated to rebuild ties with history, the protagonists of the disaster and the relatives of the seventy immortal lives, and the appreciation aroused by the commemorative events promoted since 2008 by the Municipality of Olgiate Olona with deliberately solemn and sober modalities. With the same style, the commitment that has recovered the memory has continued and improved in these ten years, it has restructured the physical signs of the plane crash, it has united the people of Olgiate Olona in solidarity, and above all it has joined all the younger generations and many others in the world with the families of the seventy immortal lives and to those who directly experienced the disaster. During the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, the solemnity and sobriety of the commemorative events have become essential to remember a tragic page of history of the past by respecting those affected also in Olgiate Olona by the tragedy of the present time and by the loss of relatives and friends, some of whom part of the family of the commemorative events of June 26, 1959. Under the embers of the commemoration of 2020 and 2021 there are both the living fire that feeds memory and solidarity, and, above all, the thanksgiving for those who shared and supported the spirit of the commemorative events and the hope of a better future for all and for each. |
| June 26 2021 |
Commemoration of the plane crash of June 26, 1959
Message of Mayor Giovanni Montano |
| April 30 2021 |
Mass in suffrage planned for Sunday May 9, 2021, at 9 a.m. in the Prepositural church of Olgiate Olona
Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Masses in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives |
| March 5 2021 |
Masses in suffrage planned for Sunday March 21, 2021, and Sunday April 4, 2021, at 9 a.m. in the Prepositural church of Olgiate Olona
Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Masses in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives |
| February 12 2021 |
Mass in suffrage planned for Saturday February 20, 2021, at 17.30 in the Prepositural church of Olgiate Olona
Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Masses in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives |
| January 18 2021 |
12th educational project in memory of the plane crash to be held in school year 2021/2022 |
| January 11 2021 |
In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) |
| December 14 2020 |
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| December 1 2020 |
Mass of suffrage planned for Saturday December 5, 2020, at 17.30 in the Prepositural church of Olgiate Olona
Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Masses in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives |
| November 10 2020 |
Awarding of the deserving works of the educational project On Friday June 26, 2020, OlgiateOlona26giugno1959.org website published texts and rankings of the ten deserving works of the 11th edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959, proposed in the 2019/2020 school year to the students in the eighth grade of Dante Alighieri school. The authors of the deserving works will be awarded with a certificate of merit during the ceremony where the Municipality of Olgiate Olona is used to reward the deserving students: it will be held on a date and place to be defined, compatibly with the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors of the best three works (Gabriel Mazzilli, Rachele Maria Vittoria Scordamaglia Ferrari, Gianluca Albè) will also receive a book coupon sponsored in 2020 by Assistenza e sicurezza Olgiate Olona of Fabio Casarotto. |
| October 26 2020 |
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| October 8 2020 |
Thursday October 8, 2020, 19th anniversary of Milan-Linate air disaster Due to COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, the commemoration of the 118 angels of Milan-Linate air disaster - remembered by a stone placed in Olgiate Olona in 2011 near the memorial monument of the plane crash of 1959 -, organized by the Municipality of Milan, Sea, Comitato 8 ottobre committee and Fondazione 8 ottobre foundation, was held on October 8, 2020, not in the Saint Ambrose basilica in Milan but at Bosco dei faggi, the beech forest created to commemorate the victims of the worst disaster of civil aviation in Italy: the mass of suffrage was celebrated by Monsignor Giuseppe Vegezzi, auxiliary of the archbishop of Milan. |
| September 28 2020 |
The plane crash in the memories of Franco Giove, former guest of Opai in Olgiate Olona Turin-born Franco Giove - who on June 26, 1959, was as a thirteen-year-old guest of the Foundation for childhood tuberculosis prevention (Opai) in Olgiate Olona - evokes the moments following the plane crash in a precious and detailed testimony. «My name is Franco Giove, I’m from Turin. From March 1959 to September 1960, I was a guest in the Opai preventorium of Olgiate Olona. I was thirteen. Perhaps the strongest memory of the period I spent in Olgiate is related to June 26, 1959. We were playing in the halls of the pavilion when all of a sudden the nuns gathered us, they took us to the theater room and then we began to pray the Rosary. This was unusual, because the time of the Rosary was later. We could see that the attitude of the nuns was of concern and we did not realize why. A plane crash had occurred over the sky of Olgiate Olona. After filling up with fuel and taking off from Malpensa airport, a TWA Super Constellation was struck by lightning during a violent storm and crashed to the ground missing the Opai complex for a few dozens of meters. Bits of a wing, of the fuselage and several fragments of metal fell all around us in the park of the Institute. We later learned that all the passengers on the plane had died, about seventy people». Witnesses of the plane crash |
| September 24 2020 |
Mass of suffrage planned for Thursday October 1st, 2020, at 9 a.m. in the Prepositural church of Olgiate Olona The memory of the plane crash continues with the prayer: on Thursday October 1st, 2020, at 9 a.m. in the Ancient Collegiate Prepositural church of St. Stephen and Lawrence of Olgiate Olona, the sixth one of the Masses of suffrage for the seventy immortal lives to be held every two months until June 26, 2021, will be celebrated; in particular, Jacob Binder (born October 1st, 1901), Lillian Sternes (born October 1st, 1910), Mary Thompson (born October 1st, 1936), Farid Geargeoura, Mary Germo, Harry Louis Stanton, Leonardo Armanetti will be remembered. Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Masses in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives |
| September 7 2020 |
 Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Jubilee (from December 8, 2019, to December 10, 2020) for the centenary of the proclamation of the Madonna of Loreto as patron saint of aeronauts and of the Italian Air Force will last until December 10, 2021: the term was extended by Pope Francis who added three invocations to Our Lady to the Litany of Loreto: Mater misericordiae (Mother of mercy), Mater spei (Mother of hope), Solacium migrantium (Comfort of migrants). The plenary indulgence of the Holy Year for those in flight is received by crossing the holy door of the sanctuary of Loreto and by visiting the airports chapels. Information on jubilee initiatives promoted in the Milan airports is available at www.voladadio.it, on Twitter @CappellaLinate and at info@voladadio.it. |
| September 2 2020 |
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| July 9 2020 |
 In addition to the footage of RAI radiotelevisione italiana shot in Olgiate Olona on June 26, 1959, a few minutes after the plane crash of Trans world airlines (TWA) Super Constellation - published on this website and in Olgiate Olona 26 Giugno 1959 song by Panama Bus -, an unedit and precious video (published by Archivio Siciliano del Cinema) has appeared on the web 61 years after the disaster. Lucarelli’s historical archive footage shot in Olgiate Olona at the plane crash site on June 27, 1959 - produced in the form of newsreel (probably for RAI radiotelevisione italiana TV station): edited as a TV service of 46 sec. length, with voiceover and solemn and mournful background music - it immortalizes some moments of the day following that of the plane crash and attests what the voiceover describes as a hallucinating picture of horror and death: wreckage of the Super Constellation crashed in via per Marnate street near farm Agnese, the rudder fallen on a perimeter wall in Garottola place, the mobile crane used to extract the fuselage of the ill-fated airplane from the ground, people from Olgiate Olona and onlookers observing the theater of the tragedy from afar, soldiers presiding over the area, investigators and TWA staff, coroners in a white coat, Red Cross nurses, the arrival of a truck loaded with coffins, the pain of the relatives of the seventy immortal lives reaching the scene of the disaster. Olgiate Olona community, miraculously saved from the plane crash of 1959, never forget this hallucinating picture of horror and death; even better, since 2008, they have placed it in a serene frame of memory and solidarity consisting of the commemorative events that honor History, the seventy immortal lives and their relatives, teaching love for life to everyone and in particular to new generations. |
| July 28 2020 |
Mass of suffrage planned for Saturday August 1st, 2020, at 17.30 in the Prepositural church of Olgiate Olona The memory of the plane crash continues with the prayer: on Saturday August 1st, 2020, at 17.30 in the Ancient Collegiate Prepositural church of St. Stephen and Lawrence of Olgiate Olona, the fifth one of the Masses of suffrage for the seventy immortal lives planned until June 26, 2021, will be celebrated; in particular, Natalina Suardi Sarchi (born August 1st, 1929), Manuel E. Rey, Olivia Pattison Heminway Kammerer will be remembered. Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Masses in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives |
| July 7 2020 |
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| June 30 2020 |
 While tidying up the area of the memorial monument after the 61st anniversary of the plane crash, next to the floral tribute of the community of Olgiate Olona, a post-it with a message handwritten by an anonym was found, it reports the date of June 26, 2020, and is addressed to the seventy immortal lives; the writing is as short and simple as profound and meaningful, it says (transl.): On the day of your bitter dip, I remember you with a writing, hopefully you won’t be bothered by our celebrating with a smile. |
| June 26 2020 |
 grandson of Leonardo Armanetti who was among the victims of the plane crash
Caro Nonno: In Memory of the Grandfather I Never Knew - TWA Flight 891 |
| June 26 2020 |
 61st anniversary of the plane crash of 1959 For the 61st anniversary of the plane crash planned for June 26, 2020, the promoting staff of the commemorative events together with the Municipality of Olgiate Olona decided for a more than sober, essential commemoration: to honor History (the plane crash and its protagonists) and to respect the present (communities and individuals affected by the pandemic). Commemoration without the usual public ceremony and characterized by the usual signs of memory and solidarity. Commemoration of June 26, 2020 International prayer in suffrage Message of Olgiate Olona Mayor Works awarded of the educational project |
| June 26 2020 |
COMMEMORATION OF JUNE 26, 2020 61st ANNIVERSARY OF THE PLANE CRASH OF 1959 Olgiate Olona, Friday June 26, 2020. Between the earth and the sky, between the river and the Ocean, here on Friday June 26, 1959, the spirit of seventy human lives hovered towards immortality. Sixty-one years later, from here, we raise silence, prayers, memories, thoughts, words. Today, Olgiate Olona is memory of History, solidarity in the sign of seventy immortal lives. Today, in the sign of memory and solidarity, we wrote a new page in History. Now we resume our journey. Between past, present and future, we are not alone under this sky: seventy immortal lives guide our path. Their spirit hovers and rests in the immortal peace of the clouds in the sky where the sun always shines. |
| June 10 2020 |
 To honor History (the plane crash and its protagonists) and to respect the present (communities and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic), the 61st anniversary of the plane crash of 1959 in Olgiate Olona is essential and with signs of memory and solidarity. On Friday June 26, 2020, no public ceremony; floral tributes at the memorial monument and on Maria Fermi Sacchetti’s grave at the cemetery; at 17.33, bell tolling of the Prevostal ancient Collegiate church of Saints Stephen and Lawrence; on OlgiateOlona26giugno1959.org website, Mayor Giovanni Montano speech, texts of the international prayer in suffrage, texts and classification of the best deserving works of the students in the eighth grade of Dante Alighieri school involved in the 11th edition of the educational project in memory of the plane crash of June 26, 1959. Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona |
| May 5 2020 |
Mass in suffrage of May 10, 2020, postponed to May 9, 2021 Because of the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic, the Mass in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives of Sunday May 10, 2020, at 9 a.m. in the Ancient Collegiate Prepositural church of St. Stephen and Lawrence of Olgiate Olona, will be postponed to May 9, 2021. We remember the immortal lives who were born in May: Jean Georges Brahamsha (born on May 10, 1934), Frank Charles Sternes. Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Masses in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives |
| March 23 2020 |
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| March 13 2020 |
The Mass in suffrage of March 22, 2020, in the Prepositural church of Olgiate Olona will be postponed Because of the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic, the Mass in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives of Sunday March 22, 2020, at 9 a.m. in the Ancient Collegiate Prepositural church of St. Stephen and Lawrence of Olgiate Olona, will be postponed. We remember the immortal lives who were born in March: George S. Sherman, Frank William Ellis, Paul Sidney Grade, Francesca Pellecchia Mariani, Gabriele Cavallanti, Paolo Ciserani (born on March 22, 1927), Pasquale Graffeo (born on March 22, 1895), Percy Charles Nicholls. Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Masses in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives |
| February 17 2020 |
 For the Lauretan Jubilee celebrated on the centenary of the proclamation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto as patroness of aeronauts and of Italian Air Force, from 18 February to 10 March, 2020, the chapel of Milan-Linate airport will host a copy of the Madonna of Loreto and it will be possible to gain the plenary indulgence of the Holy Year for those who are in flight. The initiative will be repeated in Milan-Malpensa airport from May 12 to June 2, 2020 (from May 12 to 26 in Terminal 1 chapel, from May 26 to June 2 in Terminal 2 chapel). Additional information is available at www.voladadio.it, Twitter @CappellaLinate. |
| February 7 2020 |
Eleventh edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959, with 100 students Eleventh edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959: on February 5, 2020, all the 100 students in the eighth grade of Dante Alighieri school and their teachers of Literature have attended the conversation in the classroom titled Olgiate Olona 26 giugno 1959-2019. Settanta vite immortali tra memoria e solidarietà (trans. Olgiate Olona, June 26, 1959-2019. Seventy immortal lives between memory and solidarity). |
| December 16 2019 |
Loreto Jubilee (from December 8, 2019, to December 10, 2020) wanted by Pope Francis for the centenary of the proclamation of the Madonna of Loreto as patron saint of aeronauts (and of the Italian Air Force) and defined Holy Year for those in flight, can be lived in the airports of the world and in those of Lombardy: in fact, the plenary indulgence is received by crossing both the holy door of the sanctuary of Loreto and by visiting airports chapels. Airports of Milan-Linate and Milan-Malpensa are among the twenty Italian airports where a copy of the Madonna of Loreto will stop: it twill be present in Milan-Linate from February 18 to March 10, 2020, and in Milan-Malpensa from May 12 to June 2, 2020 (from May 12 to 26 in Terminal 1 chapel, from May 26 to June 2 in Terminal 2 chapel). Information on jubilee initiatives promoted in the Milan airports is available at www.voladadio.it, on Twitter @CappellaLinate and by info@voladadio.it. |
| October 9 2019 |
Olgiate Olona attended the 18th anniversary of Milano-Linate air disaster As in the last years, Olgiate Olona attended on October 8, 2019, in the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan, the celebration in suffrage of the 118 victims of Milan-Linate air disaster whose memory is being kept since 2011 by a stone close to the monument dedicated to the plane crash of June 26, 1959. The event was promoted by the Municipality of Milan, Sea, Comitato 8 ottobre and Fondazione 8 ottobre committees. |
| September 30 2019 |
Omissione: a movie about Milan-Linate air disaster for the 20th anniversary For the 20th anniversary of the Milan-Linate air disaster (October 8, 2001) – the worst disaster of Civil Aviation in Italy -, Comitato 8 ottobre per non dimenticare committee is producing a movie entitled Omissione (transl. omission) to keep alive the memory and the truth of a tragedy that did not happen by fate, but caused by negligence and omission of responsibility instead. The project was born from Michele Fontana Association which together with Comitato 8 ottobre per non dimenticare committee have being dedicating resources since 2017 to finance the documentation and collection of witnesses by producer Renata Tardani and director Francesca La Mantia. Additional news and updates are available on website omissione.it. |
| September 4 2019 |
The concession signed by TWA for the two niches in the main cemetery of Busto Arsizio holding the coffin with human remains and the remains of two of the seventy immortal lives, will end on September 19, 2019 As stated also in the book by Alberto Colombo Il disastro aereo del 26 Giugno 1959 a Olgiate Olona published in 2008, the concession signed at the time by the Trans World Airlines (TWA, which no longer exists) for the two niches in the columbarium of the main cemetery of Busto Arsizio, Italy - where the mortal remains of some of the seventy immortal lives of the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959, are resting – will end on September 19, 2019. In a niche (arch 4F, last row at the top) in 1959, the coffin number 67 - containing pieces of corpse not attributable to any of the victims of the plane crash - defined by the Judicial Authority as coffin with human remains was placed, as attested by the inscription on the stone Sono stati qui raccolti resti mortali delle vittime della sciagura avvenuta il 26 giugno 1959 a Olgiate Olona (trans. Mortal remains of the victims of the disaster occurred on June 26, 1959, in Olgiate Olona were collected here). The other niche (arch 7E, last ro wat the top) holds - as ascertained by the recognition of June 17, 2010 – the coffin with human remains (here translated later) and the bone remains of US spouses Michael A. Martino Jr. and Corinne Drafz Martino buried in the same cemetery in 1959. In November-December 2017, in great advance on the expiry of the cemetery concession, Alberto Colombo contacted the Mayor’s secretary and manager of the cemetery services of the Municipality of Busto Arsizio asking for news regarding the fate of the burial niches and the mortal remains, obtaining as a reply to wait for September 19, 2019. |
| July 31 2019 |
Mayor Montano’s Town Council confirms support for the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959 Inside the 2020-2022 programming document (DUP) of the Municipality of Olgiate Olona approved by the Town Council on July 30, 2019, the Municipal Administration led by mayor Giovanni Montano and the Councilor for Educational Services Luisella Tognoli confirm full support for the educational project in memory of the plane crash of June 26, 1959. The document says: Ten are the editions of the project in memory of June 26, 1959. Conceived by Alberto Colombo, the project has been developped in cooperation with the School Director, the teachers, the students in the eighth grade of Dante Alighieri school, as well as the past and current Municipal Administrations. Educating to the memory has always been a goal that we intend to share, by agreeing on the need to preserve the History of a territory, a memory that makes itself present. |
| July 16 2019 |
Masses in suffrage for the seventy immortal lives After the 60th anniversary, the memory of the plane crash continues with the prayer: on Monday July 22, 2019, at 8.30 a.m. in the Ancient Collegiate Prepositural church of St. Stephen and Lawrence of Olgiate Olona, the first one of the Masses of suffrage for the seventy immortal lives to be held every two months until June 26, 2021, will be celebrated; in particular, Achille Belloni, Valerio Reggiani, Sophie Nafpliotou Doumouras, Anna Maria Adele Boaro Maga, Corinne Drafz Martino (born July 22, 1928), Anna Picha Korecky (born July 22, 1928) will be remembered. Press release of Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Masses in suffrage of the seventy immortal lives |
| July 4 2019 |
 The ceremony of June 26, 2019, was held in the Ancient Collegiate Prepositural church of St. Stephen and Lawrence in Olgiate Olona: it began with the reading of the names of the seventy immortal lives and the message of ideal participation and greeting sent by the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella; following, the Eucharistic celebration of suffrage for the seventy immortal lives and their deceased relatives and the awarding of the authors of the most deserving works of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959. During the ceremony, offers for Eur 300 + USD 50 were collected: these will be used for celebrating Masses of suffrage in the Prepositural church for the seventy immortal lives and their deceased relatives.
Message of ideal participation and greeting sent by the President of the Italian Republic |
| June 17 2019 |
 The commemorative events of the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959 - awarded with the medal of the President of the Italian Republic in 2011 - celebrate the 60th anniversary: on Wednesday June 26, 2019, an eucharistic celebration in suffrage for the seventy immortal lives and their deceased relatives will be held in the Ancient Collegiate Prepositural church of St. Stephen and Lawrence in Olgiate Olona, and the authors of the most deserving works of the tenth edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959, will be awarded; for the ceremony, the organizing staff has invited all those who have actively supported the commemorative events of June 26, 1959, from 2009 through 2019.
Municipality of Olgiate Olona - Press releases of June 17, 2019 |
| April 16 2019 |
Senate of the Italian Republic - Stenographic report of 158th public session of Friday July 3, 1959 |
| April 12 2019 |
Well-known and respected lawyer Vittorio Celiento (1936-2019) passed away in Busto Arsizio, Italy, on Friday, April 12, 2019, at the age of 82. Chancellor at the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the Court of Busto Arsizio from 1956 to 1965, then lawyer, Celiento was the President of Busto Arsizio Lawyers’ Order for years. We are grateful to him for providing us with a photograph among the most emblematic ones of the plane crash of June 26, 1959; for his work done after the crash, he received the thanks of the Consulate of the United States of America and of the Israeli community of Milan, and a praise of the Ministry of Grace and Justice. |
| March 15 2019 |
Environmental rehabilitation gives greater visibility to the memorial ... and the underlying degradation The works in progress for weeks in the municipality of Olgiate Olona for the environmental rehabilitation of the area between via per Marnate and via 26 giugno streets, and in the area where Farm Agnese was located, have given greater visibility to the memorial of the plane crash, but also have these works unveiled the underlying degradation Press release Photo gallery |
| February 21 2019 |
Only now we become aware of the passing away of Pier Giorgio Fieno and Enrico Biganzoli, whose name are connected to the plane crash of June 26, 1959. |
| February 5 2019 |
Tenth edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959, with 67 students |
| November 12 2018 |
June 26, 2019 - Commemoration of 60th anniversary of plane crash |
| October 23 2018 |
The letter written to Lueke’s family in 1959 by cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini, archbishop of Milan: the future Pope Paul VI, now proclaimed Saint |
| October 12 2018 |
20.000 visits and the style of memory and solidarity |
| October 9 2018 |
Olgiate Olona and the 17th anniversary of Milan-Linate air accident |
| August 31 2018 |
Jeremy Nicholls (1949-2018) - son of Percy Charles Nicholls who was among the seventy immortal lives of June 26, 1959 – passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2018, in Canada where he lived: he was 68, the complications of the stroke that occurred three weeks before ripped him from the affection of his loved ones. Sincere condolences to Jeremy’s relatives, and particularly to his niece Sophie Bailie, are expressed by the Mayor and the people of Olgiate Olona and by with the promoters of the commemorative events of the plane crash, who remember Jeremy’s visit to Olgiate Olona in June 2010 when – together with his sister Jennifer Ann Marchand (1947-2014) – he accompanied the ashes of his mother Irene Amelia Nicholls (1920-2010) then buried in the cemetery of Busto Arsizio.
Condolence message sent by Olgiate Olona Mayor to Sophie Bailie |
| July 2 2018 |
 The commemoration of June 26, 2018, in front of the memorial monument was attended by the relatives of the seventy immortal lives from Italy and USA, by a delegation of Comitato 8 ottobre commettee, by the students in the eighth grade of Olgiate Olona authors of the most deserving works produced in the ninth edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959: all the students were awarded a merit certificate, the best three works were read by the authors who received a book coupon sponsored by Caccia Services of Olgiate Olona. Commemoration of June 26, 2018, documents and photo gallery Page dedicated to the educational project with the works awarded |
| April 4 2018 |
 Donald Edward Lueke from Kansas City, Missouri, USA, volunteer at Twa Museum of Kansas City and son of late Donald Albert Lueke (member of the crew in service on the aircraft of the plane crash of Olgiate Olona) kindly sent us some photographs of the TWA Starliner aircraft with registration number N7313C whose fuselage crashed near Cascina Agnese on June 26, 1959. We are publishing these images for the first time after nearly 59 years from that tragic day. Don Lueke received these photos by a visitor of the Twa Museum, Greg Smith, who wrote: The image is actually an Airport Postcard of Ciampino Rome. This is also in my collection and this is the only copy I have ever seen. I’ve been collecting airline postcards since 1975. I am thinking that after the crash, it was removed as an airport postcard knowing it featured the crashed aircraft. I don’t know for sure, but it is pretty hard to find. More photographs of TWA aircraft N7313C |
| March 25 2018 |
The website in memory of June 26, 1959, turns 5 |
| February 6 2018 |
 The ninth edition of the educational project in memory of the plane crash of June 26, 1959, is addressed to all the 103 students in the eighth grade of Dante Alighieri school in Olgiate Olona, thanks to the cooperation of school director Maria Alberta Vignati and her deputy Donata Canavesi. On February 5 and 6, 2018, the students in the eighth grade and their teachers of Letters attended the conversation in the classroom titled Olgiate Olona 26 giugno 1959-2018. Settanta vite immortali tra memoria e solidarietà (trans. Olgiate Olona, June 26, 1959-2018. Seventy immortal lives between memory and solidarity). |
| November 30 2017 |
 Another historical element is added to the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959: the niche located in the columbaria of the main cemetery of Busto Arsizio (arch 4F, last row at the top) where the coffin number 67 - defined by the Judicial Authority as coffin with human remains, containing the unidentified remains of the victims of the crash – was placed in 1959. Link to the page of the plane crash |
| October 13 2017 |
The family of those who care about the memory of June 26, 1959, keeps growing |
| October 8 2017 |
Commemoration of 16th anniversary of Milan-Linate air disaster |
| September 11 2017 |
A few copies of the book of 2008 still available in e-commerce |
| July 6 2017 |
Cristiano Comelli’s thought about the seventy immortal lives of June 26, 1959 |
| June 27 2017 |
 The commemoration of June 26, 2017, in the town hall was attended by the relatives of the seventy immortal lives from Italy and USA, by a delegation of Comitato 8 ottobre commettee, by the students in the eighth grade of Olgiate Olona authors of the most deserving works produced in the eighth edition of the educational project in memory of June 26, 1959: all the students were awarded a merit certificate, the best three works were read by the authors who received a book coupon sponsored by laboratorio di falegnameria Legno e dintorni of Olgiate Olona. Photo gallery of the commemoration of June 26, 2017 Page with the works of the students in the eighth grade rewarded |
| June 26 2017 |
58th anniversary plane crash of Olgiate Olona: today, June 26, 2017, ceremony in the town hall |
| June 9 2017 |
 The commemorative events of the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959 - awarded with the medal of the President of the Italian Republic in 2011 - celebrate the 58th anniversary: on Monday June 26, 2017, a solemn and sober ceremony will be held in front of the memorial monument to honor the seventy immortal lives and their beloved ones. |
| April 19 2017 |
The plane crash of June 26, 1959, in Olga Adobati’s testimony |
| April 18 2017 |
 As correspondent of United press international (Upi) in Italy, journalist Aldo Trippini (1923-1974) – center in the picture – spread the news of the plane crash of June 26, 1959, worldwide, thanks to his work for his news agency. Trippini joined Upi in Milan, Italy, and since 1966 was the director of press office in Madrid, Spain; later - always in the Spanish capital - he worked as correspondent for several Italian daily newspapers and magazines and for a European radio network. Our archive of newspapers articles - set up thanks to the web - consists of more than 600 pieces dedicated to the plane crash published by international newspapers, many of them signed, in fact, by Aldo Trippini. |
| March 15 2017 |
The journey of memory and the contacts with the relatives of 41 out of |
| March 13 2017 |
 On Saturday March 11, 2017, in the archbishopric of Milan, cardinal Angelo Scola conferred the pontifical honor of Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great – approved by Pope Francis - to Pasquale Padovano, the sole survivor of Milan-Linate air disaster of October 8, 2001, where 118 people died. In 2011, the community of Olgiate Olona placed a headstone in memory of the disaster near the memorial monument dedicated to the plane crash of June 26, 1959. |
| February 7 2017 |
The eighth edition of the educational project in memory of the plane crash of June 26, 1959, is addressed to 65 students in the eighth grade of Dante Alighieri school in Olgiate Olona. On February 6 and 7, 2017, the students attended the conversation in the classroom titled Olgiate Olona 26 giugno 1959-2017. Settanta vite immortali tra memoria e solidarietà (trans. Olgiate Olona, June 26, 1959-2017. Seventy immortal lives between memory and solidarity). |
| January 17 2017 |
 Worn down by years of valuable work, the Ape car symbol of solidarity in memory of the seventy immortal lives ended its service in Olgiate Olona. It was donated to Massimo Carletti social cooperative of Olgiate Olona in 2009 during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the plane crash. |
| November 7 2016 |
 Thanks to amateur photographer Giuseppe Pinuccio Ferioli - which we thank - we are publishing three photographs that he took on June 26, 2010, during the commemoration of the 51st anniversary of the plane crash of June 26, 1959. These shots have been added to the photo gallery of the commemorative events, and we invite those who own similar and unpublished pictures to share them with us, for contributing to enrich the memory of June 26, 1959. |
| October 17 2016 |
 Thanks to Enrica Mariateresa Ferrazzi – head of the Communication of the Municipality -, we retrieved some photographs taken by Giuseppe Belloni (1933-2013) – founder and first President of Pro Loco of Olgiate Olona, cantor in poetry of the local dialet, worthy citizen - which show the maintenance of the memorial monument of the plane crash of June 26, 1959, carried out in 2003 by the Civil defence led by coordinator Luigi De Bortoli. We thank Giuseppe Belloni (in memory) and the Civil defence of Olgiate Olona which since then has taken care of cleaning and decor of the memorial monument and via 26 giugno street. |
| October 10 2016 |
15th anniversary of Milan-Linate air disaster |
| September 7 2016 |
The plane crash in the memory of guests of Opai |
| July 20 2016 |
 The article Una favola d’amore nel rogo dell’aereo (transl. A love tale in the burning airplane) by Vittorio Lojacono, published on La settimana INCOM illustrata newspaper of July 11, 1959, let us know in detail the love tale of Rizieri Celli, Marfisa Bertolucci and their unborn child: a dream vanished on the moorland of Olgiate Olona in the terrible burning of the Superconstellation crashed by the lightning on June 26, 1959.
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| July 11 2016 |
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| July 1 2016 |
Plane crash of June 26, 1959 |
| June 28 2016 |
 The Commemoration of June 26, 2016, held in front of the memorial monument of the plane crash, was attended by some relatives of the seventy immortal lives coming from Italy and United States of America, the delegation of Comitato 8 ottobre committee, the authors of the ten deserving works awarded with merit certificate. The work Ali bianche of Matilda Marchetta - first classified - has been rewarded with the Special award 2016.
Photo gallery of the commemoration of June 26, 2016 |
| June 24 2016 |
 A restoration work on the memorial monument has removed the deterioration caused by the passing of time, bad weather and atmospheric agents (cracks, detachment of parts, greenish patina, rust): the monument has been plastered, repainted and fitted with a metal cover on the top to prevent the infiltrations in the concrete. |
| June 3 2016 |
Text of the message of condolences sent by the Mayor of Olgiate Olona to George Clam |
| May 26 2016 |
Cardinal Loris Francesco Capovilla (1915-2016) passed away on May 26, 2016, in Sotto il monte Giovanni XXIII, Italy. At the time of the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959, he was the secretary of Pope John XXIII, and in 2008 he wrote a short and important testimony. |
| May 11 2016 |
We are publishing the testimony of artist Andrea Vaccaro (1939-2019) written on January 20, 2008, in his blog at pittoreandreavaccaro.blogspot.it. He saw the parts of the TWA Super Constellation falling down and ran with his bicycle from Legnano to Olgiate Olona to the place where one of the plane’s engines fell. |
| May 4 2016 |
Two events in Rome on May 4, 2016, in the sign of Paolo Pettinaroli |
| April 14 2016 |
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| April 12 2016 |
Olgiate Olona community does not forget Paolo Pettinaroli |
| March 25 2016 |
Website dedicated to June 26, 1959 - 3 years online, nearly 10.000 visits
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| February 5 2016 |
Seventh edition for the educational project inspired to June 26, 1959 |
| January 15 2016 |
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| December 22 2015 |
Dolores Rey Jacobs (1929-2015), widow of Manuel Rey who perished in the plane crash of June 26, 1959, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2015. Her relative George Clam wrote to us: “I must also share some unfortunate news. Dolores Jacobs Rey passed away on December 20, 2015. She was the widow of Manuel Rey, one of the victims of the 1959 air disaster. I know she was very appreciative of all those involved in the memorial and the efforts to remember all the victims.”
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| November 19 2015 |
Acclaimed journalist Mario Cervi (1921-2015) passed away on November 17, 2015. He was a genuine reporter and special correspondent who worked for Corriere della sera newspaper for 30 years. In 1974 he joined Indro Montanelli at La voce and later at Il giornale, the newspaper that he directed from 1997 to 2001. Working for Corriere della sera Cervi signed some articles on the plane crash of Olgiate Olona of June 26, 1959: an accurate and masterful chronicle as always in his style. |
| November 6 2015 |
On November 2, 2015, in Miami, Florida, USA, the Flight Safety Foundation (the non-profit independent international organization for research, education, defence and publishing relating to aviation safety) awarded the FSF President’s Citation 2015 to the memory of Paolo Pettinaroli – late President of Fondazione 8 ottobre foundation - for his service to flight safety, to the victims of air accidents and their families. Pettinaroli was elected to the Board of Directors of Flight Safety Foundation in 2010, when the International Air Safety Seminar was held in Milan. |
| October 21 2015 |
 The true novel of forty-eight lives - more or less famous – who borded the Air France Constellation on the night between October 27 and 28, 1949, the plane which took off from Paris-Orly airport headed to New York and crashed on an island of the Azores: it’s the book Constellation written by the young Adrien Bosc and awarded in 2014 with the Grand Prize of the Académie française. |
| October 1 2015 |
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| September 7 2015 |
 Condolences and solidarity to Donald and his relatives are expressed by those who care about the memory of June 26, 1959, by the Mayor and the people of Olgiate Olona who fondly remember Rosine’s smile and tenderness during her visits to our town and her courageous perseverance in facing the cancer and the fate which prematurely took away her beloved granddaughter Rebecca Marie Lueke (1995-2013).
Text of the letter sent by the Municipality of Olgiate Olona to Donald Edward Lueke: |
| July 15 2015 |
During the feast of the patron Saint on July 10, 2015, the Municipality of Romagnano Sesia conferred the honor of the Antico Borgo di Romagnano Sesia to the memory of Paolo Pettinaroli identifying him as Romagnano Sesia resident of year 2015, ”for his constant support shown to the activities of the associations of Romagnano Sesia. For knowing how to turn pain into commitment dedicated to the search for truth, justice and safety, so that tragedies like the one that hit his family would not happen anymore“. |
| June 26 2015 |
Commemoration of the plane crash of June 26, 1959 - 56th anniversary |
| June 3 2015 |
Words in poetry by Alberto Colombo before the Commemoration of June 26, 2015 |
| May 29 2015 |
 Therefore the U.S. child Mary Belknap who boarded the airplane at Rome-Ciampino airport was going back home bringing along a fine genuine Italian toy: one doll made of lenci cloth produced by company Lenci of Turin since 1929, already famous in the fifties and yet collectible items of high value. |
| April 11 2015 |
Translation of the telegram sent by the Municipality of Olgiate Olona to Pettinaroli’s family: |
| March 26 2015 |
Website dedicated to June 26, 1959 - 2 years online, nearly 7000 visits |
| March 23 2015 |
 Who walks without hurry can notice everything. The Gruppo escursionistico abete rosso in his website (full of information for excursion enthusiasts) illustrates the cycle and walking path from Castellanza to Lonate Ceppino and - talking about Olgiate Olona - reminds the existence in that area of the memorial monument dedicated to the plane crash of June 26, 1959. The citation contributes to the memory and deserves this notice. |
| February 19 2015 |
On February 18, 2015, Marisa Broggini, wife of Antonio Monti – fireman who was among the rescuers on the site of the plane crash of June 26, 1959 – has passed away. Those who care about the memory of June 26, 1959, the Mayor and the people of Olgiate Olona express sincere condolences to Antonio and his family. All of us here in Olgiate Olona appreciated the kindness and friendliness of Marisa whenever she faithfully accompanied Antonio among us to attend the commemorative events.
Translation of the telegram sent by the Municipality of Olgiate Olona to Antonio Monti: |
| February 3 2015 |
Sixth edition for the educational project inspired to June 26, 1959 |
| January 16 2015 |
 On January 16, 2015, the Regional Council of Tuscany and Cerchio blu association of Florence awarded Paolo Pettinaroli - President of Fondazione 8 ottobre 2001 foundation (relatives of the victims of Milan-Linate air disaster) - with Oltre il dovere prize, because “he constantly engaged himself in the protection of passenger safety and in the assistance to the families of victims of air accidents, by promoting together with his Foundation some important regulatory improvements in the field of aviation safety”. Pettinaroli thanked for this “totally unexpected award that I dedicate to all the Technical Task Force members of our Foundation, without whom nothing I could do”. The community of Olgiate Olona and those who care the seventy immortal lives of June 26, 1959, congratulate Paolo Pettinaroli. |
| October 31 2014 |
 The plane crash of June 26, 1959, did not cause damages to the town and the people of Olgiate Olona and firstly to the buildings of Opai (foundation for child tuberculosis prevention) – located a few dozen meters from the place where the fuselage crashed – where hundreds of children were housed, cared for by the nuns, the attendants and the other staff. Some of them today still remember well the disaster according to the testimony contained in the book Opai, io c’ero... Voci e volti della Casa dei bambini di Olgiate Olona, presented in Olgiate Olona on October 26, 2014, and written by native Enrica Mariateresa Ferrazzi who kindly allowed us to publish a few excerpts of the testimony. |
| October 8 2014 |
Commemoration of the victims of Milan-Linate air disaster |
| May 28 2014 |
Greetings of new Olgiate Olona Mayor Dr. Giovanni Montano |
| March 7 2014 |
Website dedicated to June 26, 1959 - A year of continuous growth |
