  Universality of the weak interactions is reviewed, with special emphasis on
the origin of the Cabibbo theory of strange particles beta-decays and its role
in the discovery of the unified Electroweak Theory. Achievements and present
challenges of the Standard Theory of particles interactions are briefly
illustrated. As an homage to Nicola Cabibbo, his leading role in the Roma
school of theoretical physics and in the italian science in general is
reviewed.
