Republic Day

Republic Day, or Festa della Repubblica, is Italy’s national day, celebrated annually on June 2. It commemorates the constitutional referendum held on June 2 and 3, 1946, when Italians voted to replace the monarchy with a republic in the aftermath of Fascism and the Second World War. The referendum was conducted by universal suffrage, including women voting nationally for the first time, and the republican option prevailed. King Umberto II left Italy soon afterward, bringing the House of Savoy’s rule to an end.

The vote marked the foundation of modern republican Italy and led to the election of a Constituent Assembly, which drafted the Constitution of the Italian Republic. The Constitution came into force on January 1, 1948, establishing democratic institutions and emphasizing civic equality, labor, regional communities, and resistance to authoritarianism. In 1948, Italy held its first major Republic Day parade in Rome, beginning traditions that continue today. In 2026, Republic Day falls on Tuesday, June 2, and remains a nationwide public holiday honoring Italian unity, democratic renewal, and the institutions of the Republic.

The principal Republic Day ceremony takes place in Rome. The President of the Italian Republic lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Altare della Patria, or Altar of the Fatherland, in Piazza Venezia. This is followed by a formal military parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali, featuring the armed forces, police and civil protection services, veterans, and representatives of public institutions. The Frecce Tricolori, Italy’s aerobatic team, traditionally concludes the ceremony with a flight over Rome leaving the green, white, and red colors of the Italian flag in the sky.

The Quirinal Palace may open its gardens to the public for musical performances and civic events, while municipalities throughout Italy organize concerts, flag ceremonies, exhibitions, and educational programs about the Constitution and the country’s democratic history. Families and friends often use the public holiday for outdoor meals, day trips, or informal gatherings, with regional Italian dishes rather than a single official Republic Day menu. Common patriotic symbols include the tricolore flag and clothing or decorations in its colors. A standard greeting is “Buona Festa della Repubblica!” or simply “Buona Festa della Repubblica Italiana!”