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2 June is Italy’s Republic Day. Learn more about the history of Italy, Italy’s emblem and the anthem of the Italian Republic.
2 giugno: La Festa delle Repubblica
Italy’s Republic Day exercises for A2. Suitable for both class use and self-study.
Foto tricolore Roma: © quirinale.it
2 giugno: La Festa delle Repubblica
taly’s Republic Day is celebrated on June 2 and it’s a holiday, so no school or work. Why June 2? Between June 2 and 3, 1946 a referendum was held to decide what form of government to give to the country: monarchy or republic? The Republic won with 54% of the votes, just over half. Italy thus became a Republic!
1861-1946: Il Regno d'Italia
Before becoming a Republic, Italy was a monarchy. From the Unification of Italy in 1861 until 1946, so for a total of 85 years, Italy was called the Kingdom of Italy and was a constitutional monarchy. There were four Kings of Italy: Victor Emmanuel II (1861-1878), Umberto I (1878-1900), Victor Emmanuel III (1900-1946) and the last one, Umberto II, who ruled just over a month, from May 9 to June 18, 1946, and was therefore nicknamed “King of May”.
And then... Republic
And so from 1946 Italy is a Republic. The first President of the Italian Republic was Enrico De Nicola (1946-1948). The first Prime Minister (1946-1953) was Alcide De Gasperi, who played a major role in the birth of both the Italian Republic and the European Union.
L'emblema della Repubblica Italiana
The emblem of the Italian Republic is composed of several symbolic elements:
- The Star of Italy, a white five-pointed star with a red border. It is the most ancient symbol used to represent Italy. In fact it is found in many iconographies together with the personification of Italy.
- The cogwheel, symbol of work. This symbol represents Article 1 of the Italian Constitution, according to which Italy is a democratic republic founded on labor: “Italy is a democratic Republic, founded on labor. Sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it in the forms and within the limits of the Constitution.”
- The olive branch, a symbol of peace and the oak branch, a symbol of strength and dignity. Both branches represent very typical trees in Italy.
L'inno d'Italia (Inno di Mameli)
The anthem of Italy has several verses, here you can find the parts of the anthem that are usually sung, namely the first verse and the chorus.
Brothers of Italy,
Italy has awakened,
With Scipio’s helmet
adorned her head.
Where is Victoria, the goddess of victory?
May she give Italy her hair,
For as a slave of Rome
God created her.
(x2)
Let us join in a cohort [militärische Einheit der römischen Armee] [military unit of the Roman army]We are ready to die,
We are ready to die,
Italy has called.
Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die,
We are ready to die,
Italy has called. Yes!
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