Italy: The Free State of Fiume Annexed by Italy
On this day in 1924, the small Free State of Fiume was annexed by the Kingdom of Italy. This small free state was independent between 1920 and 1924. The city of Fiume is now known as Rijeka and belongs to Croatia.
From 1719 it gained autonomy from the emperor Charles VI, having been part of the Holy Roman Empire. It became part of the Kingdom of Hungary in 1776, though it remained largely autonomous until its independence in 1920. There was a period between 1848 and 1868 when its autonomy was lost to Croatian rule.
With the end of World War II, Fiume became part of Yugoslavia and then with the break up of Yugoslavia, Croatia.
For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_State_of_Fiume
The Question of the Adriatic – Fiume (booklet)
History for Today 