| The Order was established on 20 February 1868 by Vittorio Emanuele II, first king of unified Italy to commemorate unification (though it was only in 1870 that the Papal States and Rome joined the union). It was intended to reward outstanding service to Italy and was open equally to Italian and non-Italian citizens. It became obsolete with the dissolution of the Italian monarchy at the end of World War II and has not been issued since.
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