In November 1900, King Umberto I of Italy was assassinated by anarchist Gaetano Bresci. The act occurred in Monza during a prize-giving ceremony and was motivated by retaliation for the military's suppression of a Milan protest in 1898. This suppression resulted in civilian casualties, fueling dissent against the monarchy. The assassination highlighted the growing unrest in Italy, illustrating the tensions between anarchists and the ruling elite, and marked a pivotal moment in Italian history.