On Thursday, 12 May the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano visited the Museo Galileo, escorted by the Mayor of Florence, the President of Tuscany and the Prefect. The President was impressed by the beautiful and effective display of the historical scientific instrument collection and appreciated the technological innovations introduced in the permanent exhibition. A choice of documentation relevant to the Congresses of Italian Scientists (1839-1875) has been shown to the President. These documents, which are housed in the museum’s library, bear witness to the crucial contribution of Italian scientific community to the Unification of Italy.