Friday, December 13, 2024

June 2, Italy’s Independence Day

Photo and story by Joseph M. Calisi (c)2022 All Rights Reserved
 

Italy’s most important holiday is June 2nd,  Italy’s Independence Day. With the storied history of the Italian peninsula, the question becomes, why is this day above others?

The Festa della Repubblica Italiana (Festival of the Italian Republic), Italy’s Independence Day, is held to a standard above all other holidays because it clearly delineates the past from today’s modern government.

From 1861 up until June 2, 1946, the Italian peninsula was unified under the government led by the monarchy of the House of Savoy. After World War II, the populous of Italy was asked to choose with an institutional referendum to either retain the existing monarchy or change to a representative republic with a parliamentary-style government. When the votes were counted, the monarchy was voted out and the Italian government structure as we know it took effect.

The day is celebrated with the opening of the Palazzo del Quirinale gardens to the public, laying of the wreath of the unknown soldier at the Altare della Patria, parades (The Corazzieri [Italian president’s guards] military, carabinieri and Guardie della Finanzia) and is capped off with a flyover by the 9-plane Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolore (a/k/a Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale or National Acrobatic Patrol) with the trailing colors of Italy’s flag (green, white, and red) over that monument.

Auguri Italia!!!

Joseph Calisi
Joseph Calisihttps://josephmcalisiphotography.com/
International Transportation Photojournalist and Syndicator of News Stories and Images Since 1993 TV credits include Telly Award finalist (11-minute documentary on the last days of mainline steam trains in the world in China) and NY Emmy Award nominee for a news magazine story on the 75th anniversary of NY’s IND subway.

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