ROME – June 2 will mark the 67th Festa della Repubblica  (Feast of the Republic) in Italy. 
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, who has often referred to the Feast of the Republic as the Feast of the Italians, has called for national unity on this day stating how important it is, particularly in moments of difficulty such as these days, to mark the celebration as a sign of national solidarity and closeness.
 
The day commemorates the institutional referendum held by universal suffrage in 1946, in which the Italian people headed to the polls ending up chosing that republic form of government which began the modernization of the country.
 
Prior to the Republic, the Italian national day was the first Sunday in June, defined as the anniversary of the Statuto Albertino (adopted as the first Italian constitution after 1848 unification of the Country).
Prior to the Republic, the Italian national day was the first Sunday in June, defined as the anniversary of the Statuto Albertino (adopted as the first Italian constitution after 1848 unification of the Country).
As of today, Republic Day is one of the most important holidays and, like July 4th in the USA, is considered to celebrate the birth of the nation. 
 Presidents Napolitano lays a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Vittoriano

 Presidents Napolitano lays a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Vittoriano

For this reason, Italian embassies throughout the world hold celebrations, as from all over the world come to the President of the Italian Republic wishes of the other Heads of State, and special ceremonies are held in Italy.
 
The first military parade to celebrate the birth of the Republic was held in Rome in 1948. The following year, almost any city across the country decided to host such event and in 1950 the parade was featured for the first time in the protocol of official celebrations.
Like many other Italian holidays, the Festa della Repubblica Italiana comes with a full package of symbolic events.
 
And this year, the 67th anniversary of the Italian Republic, will not be any different.
To commemorate the date a wreath will be laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at one of Italy’s largest national monuments, Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland).
 
Heads of State from several countries in Europe, USA, Russia, Brazil, Argentina and many more will attend the ceremony.
 
Right after honoring all the soldiers who have died to preserve the freedom and independence of the Bel Paese, a military parade will be held in central Rome, presided over by the President of the Italian Republic, the highest offices of state and thousands of young and old Italians. 
 
All the Armed Forces, the Police Forces of the Republic, the National Corps of Firemen and the Italian Red Cross will take part. Also take usually part in the military parade a few military delegations of NATO and European Union.
 
The ceremony will then continue in the afternoon with the opening of the gardens of the Quirinale Palace, seat of the President of the Republic and with musical performances by a variety of martial bands including those of the Italian army, navy, air force, Carabinieri, and Guardia di Finanza.
 
As every year, one of the highlights of the day will be the flyover by the Frecce Tricolori. Officially known as the Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale (National Acrobatic Patrol), the nine Italian Air Force aircraft, in tight formation, put up a glorious show of color and flying acrobatics passing over the Vittoriano monument drawing in the sky the colors of Italy’s flag.
 
The festivities will not take place just in Rome, as various Italian cities has organized events dedicated to Italy and all of those who 65 years ago had the courage to change.

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