On 3 January 1925, Benito Mussolini, leveraging the unrest and political turmoil plaguing post-World War I Italy, dramatically dissolved the Italian parliament and declared himself the dictator of the nation, assuming the title "Il Duce."
This bold move marked the culmination of Mussolini's consolidation of power, effectively transforming Italy into a totalitarian state under Fascist control.
With his speech before the Chamber of Deputies, Mussolini not only justified his actions by claiming responsibility for the infamous Matteotti crisis but also warned his opponents of his iron-fisted resolve, establishing a regime that would stifle dissent and alter Italy's trajectory for decades to come.
