Changes

In May 1921 more than half of local Italians had left the island. At the end of that year only 180 Italians who had stayed on the island gathered around the local school, then closed.  

In May 1921 more than half of local Italians had left the island. At the end of that year only 180 Italians who had stayed on the island gathered around the local school, then closed.  

In 1923, the number of Italians had been reduced to 46. Many of these remaining Italians, however, had preferred to have Yugoslav citizenship in exchange for not losing their economic activities. Indeed, in 1933 the mixed elementary school had 40 Italian pupils. Korčula also continued to operate the Italian Union, an association chaired by Michele Smerchinich, with 41 members.  These people were remaining members of the main Italian families (Benussi, Damianovich, Depolo, Perucich, Radizza, Smerchinich, Vinz, Zanetti).<ref>'''Editors note''': Damianovich, Perucich & Smerchinich are surnames of Slavic origin. The term Slav was first used by the Byzantines (i.e. Procopius-Byzantine scholar, Jordanes- 6th century Roman bureaucrat) and was recorded in the 6th century (cia. 550) in Greek (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in Latin it was written Sclaveni. Slavic tribes invaded the region of''' Roman Dalmatia''' in the early Middle Ages. Prior to the arrival of Slavs, Roman Dalmatia was mainly inhabited by a Roman Latin-Illyrian population.</ref>  

In 1923, the number of Italians had been reduced to 46. Many of these remaining Italians, however, had preferred to have Yugoslav citizenship in exchange for not losing their economic activities. Indeed, in 1933 the mixed elementary school had 40 Italian pupils. Korčula also continued to operate the Italian Union, an association chaired by Michele Smerchinich, with 41 members.  These people were remaining members of the main Italian families (Benussi, Damianovich, Depolo, Perucich, Radizza, Smerchinich, Vinz, Zanetti).<ref>'''Editors note''': Damianovich, Perucich & Smerchinich are surnames of Slavic origin. The term Slav was first used by the Byzantines (i.e. Procopius-Byzantine scholar, Jordanes- 6th century Roman bureaucrat) and was recorded in the 6th century (cia. 550) in Greek (Σκλαβῖνοι-Sklabenoi). Later in Latin it was written Sclaveni. Slavic tribes invaded the region of''' Roman Dalmatia''' in the early Middle Ages. Prior to the arrival of the Slavs, Roman Dalmatia was mainly inhabited by a Roman Latin-Illyrian population.</ref>  

At the end of [[World War II]], however, there were no Italians left on Korčula.

At the end of [[World War II]], however, there were no Italians left on Korčula.