As a way to push back against the sanctions, and to fill Italy's war coffers, Mussolini asked Italian women to donate their gold wedding rings on "Faith Day," Dec. 18, 1935. "The enthusiasm with ...

December 1935 saw popular Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini appeal to the patriotism of Italy’s wives, urging them to swap their gold wedding bands for steel rings instead. Yes, really.