In 2010, Internet rumors started to circulate about a devastating earthquake allegedly forecast in Rome, on May 11, 2011, by Raffaele Bendandi, an Italian self-taught natural scientist (Faenza, 1893-1979). As the date approached, Roman residents, tourists and commuters started pelting INGV with anxious inquiries. As May approached, the attention of the public and the media grew. INGV decided to organize at its headquarters in Rome an Open Day devoted to the public who wanted to have information and learn more about the Italian seismicity, the earthquake as natural phenomenon, and seismic hazard. The Open Day was preceded by a press conference, with the purpose to present the initiative and open a scientific discussion with the journalists about earthquakes prediction and Italian seismic...