Anniversary of the Unification of Italy
Most important officers of the Italian State paying homage to the Italian Unknown Soldier at Altare della Patria in Rome on 17 March 2023 on the occasion of the 162nd anniversary of the unification of Italy
Official nameAnniversario dell'Unità d'Italia
Observed by Italy
TypeNational
SignificanceBirth of the Italian state in the form of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861
CelebrationsVarious events throughout Italy
Date17 March
Next time17 March 2024 (2024-03-17)
Frequencyannual
First time17 March 1911
Related to

The Anniversary of the Unification of Italy (Italian: Anniversario dell'Unità d'Italia) is a national day that falls annually on 17 March and celebrates the birth of Italy as a modern nation state, which took place following the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy on 17 March 1861.

However, the complete unification of Italy took place only in the following years. In 1866 the Veneto and the province of Mantua were annexed after the Third Italian War of Independence, then in 1870 Lazio after the capture of Rome, and finally in 1918 Trentino-Alto Adige and Julian March after the First World War. In this regard, the National Unity and Armed Forces Day was also established, which is celebrated annually on 4 November, recalling the Italian victory in the First World War, a war event considered to complete the process of unification of Italy.[1]

The anniversary of the birth of the Italian state was solemnly celebrated in 1911 (50 years), in 1961 (100 years), and in 2011 (150 years).[2]

With the Law of 23 November 2012, n. 222, on the subject of "Regulations on the Acquisition of Knowledge and Skills in the Field of 'Citizenship and Constitution' and on the teaching of the hymn of Mameli in schools", the establishment every 17 March of the "National Unity, Constitution, Anthem and Flag Day" was definitively approved on an annual basis. While remaining a working day, 17 March is considered a "day promoting the values linked to national identity".[3]

History

King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy

The anniversary of the unification of Italy recalls the promulgation of law no. 4671 of the Kingdom of Sardinia with which, on 17 March 1861, following the session of 14 March of the same year of the Chamber of Deputies in which the Senate of the Kingdom of Italy bill of 26 February 1861 was approved, Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy officially proclaimed the birth of the Kingdom of Italy, assuming the title of king of Italy for himself and his successors:[4]

Carlo Bossoli: the royal procession at the opening of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Italy

The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies have approved; we have sanctioned and promulgate the following: Single article: King Victor Emmanuel II assumes the title of King of Italy for himself and his Successors. We order that the present one, provided with the Seal of the State, be included in the collection of the acts of the Government, sending to anyone who is responsible for observing it and having it observed as the law of the State. From Turin on 17 March 1861

— Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy

Borrowing from the old Latin title Pater Patriae of the Roman emperors, the Italians gave to Victor Emmanuel II the epithet of Father of the Fatherland (Italian: Padre della Patria).[5] After his death, many initiatives were destined to raise a permanent monument that celebrated the first king of a united Italy, creator of the process of unification and liberation from foreign domination with Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, Giuseppe Garibaldi and Giuseppe Mazzini.[6] The result was the construction of the Victor Emmanuel II Monument in Rome, called for synecdoche Altare della Patria (English: Altar of the Fatherland).[7]

50th anniversary

The Victor Emmanuel II Monument in Rome, a national symbol of Italy celebrating the first king of the unified country, and resting place of the Italian Unknown Soldier since the end of World War I. It was inaugurated in 1911, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the unification of Italy

In 1911, between March and April, the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Kingdom of Italy was celebrated with a series of exhibitions in Rome, Florence and Turin. In the latter city, the International Exhibition of Industry and Labor was held.[8] In the capital, whose mayor at the time was Ernesto Nathan, the ethnographic exhibition of the regions was organized (inaugurated on 21 April) and the International Review of Contemporary Art, the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, the bridge Victory Emmanuel II was inaugurated on the Janiculum, the lighthouse of the Italians of Argentina.[8] In Florence the "Exhibition of the Italian portrait from the end of the 16th century to 1861" and the International Floriculture Exhibition was held from March to July.[8]

The volume "The Three Capitals: Turin-Florence-Rome" written by Edmondo De Amicis in 1898 was published in support of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary.[9]

The Accademia dei Lincei, under the guidance of Pietro Blaserna, published the work "Cinquant'anni di storia italiana" in three volumes describing the political, economic and civil life history of Italy from 1861 to 1911.[10]

100th anniversary

The monorail built in Turin for the centenary celebrations

The celebrations of the centenary began in 1959 with the visit to Italy of General Charles de Gaulle, from 23 to 27 June, to celebrate the memory of the Franco-Piedmontese alliance that allowed the victorious Second Italian War of Independence, which constituted the spring from which two years later national unification took place. During this visit, military magazines and demonstrations were organized on the battlefields of Magenta, Solferino and San Martino, and a visit to the Victor Emmanuel II Monument in Rome.[11]

In 1961, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the unification of Italy, three exhibitions were organized in Turin: the Historical Exhibition of the Unification of Italy, the Exhibition of Italian Regions and the International Labour Exhibition also known as Expo 61.[12]

Roberto Rossellini, author of numerous historical period films, directed two films centred on the Risorgimento: the celebratory Garibaldi, in which he reconstructs the expedition of the Thousand, and the more intimate Vanina Vanini, set in the times of the Carbonari uprisings.[13]

150th anniversary

Place from which the Expedition of the Thousand left on the night of 5 May 1860. On top of the monument shines the Stella d'Italia ("Star of Italy")

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary on 17 March 2011, celebrations were held throughout Italy and a national holiday was proclaimed with schools, offices and suspended work activities. Moreover, in order to avoid burdens on public finance and private companies, the juridical and economic effects of the suppressed holiday of 4 November were shifted to that date, or each employee had to deduct a day of leave required by the annual vacation sum.[14]

The celebrations for the 150th anniversary began on 5 May 2010 in Quarto dei Mille, with the participation of the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano. The town was chosen because it was from Quarto dei Mille that the Expedition of the Thousand, headed by Giuseppe Garibaldi, began on 5 May 1860.[15] On 11 May 2010, President Napolitano attended in Marsala a historical reenactment of the arrival of the Thousand in the city.[16] Napolitano went later to Salemi and Calatafimi to honour, together with Ignazio La Russa, the fallen of the battle of Calatafimi, which took place on 15 May 1860.[17]

150th anniversary of the unification of Italy: Rocca Estense of San Felice sul Panaro illuminated by the Italian tricolour and by the images of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Victor Emmanuel II of Italy and Giuseppe Mazzini
Piazza della Repubblica, Florence, illuminated by the Italian tricolour on 17 March 2011

The celebrations came alive on 17 March 2011, on the occasion of President Napolitano's visit to Turin.[18] During the three-day visit, the 'Fare gli Italiani' exhibitions (curated by Walter Barberis and Giovanni De Luna) and 'Stazione futuro' (curated by Riccardo Luna) at the OGR Officine Grandi Riparazioni in Turin, and 'La Bella Italia' (curated by Antonio Paolucci) at the Palace of Venaria were inaugurated.[18] Over 2,000,000 visitors attended the Turin celebrations.[2]

With the law no. 222 of 23 November 2012 concerning the "Rules on the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the field of Citizenship and Constitution, and on the teaching of the national anthem in schools", the institution of the National Unity Day, the Constitution, the anthem, and the flag were approved:[19][20]

The Republic recognizes the 17th of March, the date of the proclamation of the unification of Italy in Turin in the year 1861, as "National Unity Day, of the Constitution, of the anthem and of the flag", in order to remember and to promote, in the context of a widespread didactics, the values of citizenship, the foundation of a positive civil coexistence, as well as to reaffirm and consolidate the national identity through remembrance and civic memory

— Italian Parliament, art. 1, paragraph 3, law 23 November 2012, no. 222

160th anniversary

The celebration of the 160th anniversary on 17 March 2021 took place during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, which had resulted in the deaths of more of 100,000 Italians.[21][22][23][24]

Italy, hit hard by the health emergency, has once again shown a spirit of democracy, unity and cohesion. In the distancing imposed by the measures to contain the pandemic we found ourselves closer and aware that we belong to a community capable of rising from adversity and renewing ourselves.

— President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, 17 March 2021

18 March has been designated the Day in Memory of the Victims of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Italian government.[25]

National Unity Day

With the Law of 23 November 2012, n. 222, on the subject of "Regulations on the Acquisition of Knowledge and Skills in the Field of 'Citizenship and Constitution' and on the teaching of the hymn of Mameli in schools", the establishment every 17 March of the "National Unity, Constitution, Anthem and Flag Day" was definitively approved on an annual basis. While remaining a working day, 17 March is considered a "day promoting the values linked to national identity".[3]

The Republic recognizes 17 March, the date of the proclamation in Turin, in the year 1861, of the Unification of Italy, as "Day of National Unity, of the Constitution, of the anthem and of the flag", in order to remember and promote, in the context of widespread teaching, the values of citizenship, the foundation of a positive civil coexistence, as well as to reaffirm and consolidate national identity through remembrance and civic memory.

— Italian Parliament, art. 1, paragraph 3, law 23 November 2012, n. 222

See also

Citations

    1. ↑ "Il 1861 e le quattro Guerre per l'Indipendenza (1848–1918)" (in Italian). 6 March 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    2. 1 2 "Festeggiare l'Unità" (PDF) (in Italian). Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    3. 1 2 "Norme sull'acquisizione di conoscenze e competenze in materia di 'Cittadinanza e Costituzione' e sull'insegnamento dell'inno di Mameli nelle scuole". Law No. 222 of 23 November 2012. Italian Parliament. Archived 2022-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
    4. ↑ "Torino, 17 marzo 1861: la proclamazione del Regno d'Italia". 150anni-lanostrastoria.it. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
    5. ↑ "Vittorio Emanuele II" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    6. ↑ "Fratelli d'Italia, divisi su tutto" (in Italian). 12 December 2016. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    7. ↑ "Vittoriano" (in Italian). 2 December 2020. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    8. 1 2 3 "Esposizione internazionale 1911" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    9. ↑ "Il Cinquantenario del 1911" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
    10. ↑ See p. 54 in Raffaello Morghen L'Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei nel CCCLXVIII anno dalla sua fondazione, nella vita e nella cultura dell'Italia unita, Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Roma, 1972 online Archived 2012-10-31 at the Wayback Machine
    11. ↑ Mourlane, Stéphane (2008). "Le voyage officiel en Italie du général de Gaulle (23–27 juin 1959)". Cahiers de la Méditerranée (in French) (77): 95–110. doi:10.4000/cdlm.4368. S2CID 161797481. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
    12. ↑ "Per conoscere in dettaglio la manifestazione si può visitare il sito" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
    13. ↑ "Corso di aggiornamento "Il Risorgimento al cinema"" (in Italian). Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    14. ↑ "Unità d'Italia: il 17 marzo 2011 è festa nazionale" (in Italian). 17 March 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    15. ↑ "150° anniversario dell'Unità d'Italia" (in Italian). Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    16. ↑ "Intervento del Presidente Napolitano in occasione delle celebrazioni del 150° anniversario dello Sbarco dei Mille" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 22 May 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    17. ↑ "Verso il 2011" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
    18. 1 2 "In 200mila per la Notte tricolore, oggi arriva Napolitano per la due giorni torinese" (in Italian). 17 March 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    19. ↑ "160° anniversario dell'Unità d'Italia" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    20. ↑ "Norme sull'acquisizione di conoscenze e competenze in materia di «Cittadinanza e Costituzione» e sull'insegnamento dell'inno di Mameli nelle scuole" (in Italian). Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    21. ↑ "160° anniversario dell'Unità d'Italia. Le prefetture celebrano la ricorrenza nei territori". interno.gov.it. Ministero dell'Interno. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    22. ↑ "Covid, Mattarella: "In piena pandemia Italia unita e capace di risollevarsi"". tgcom24.mediaset.it. tgcom24.mediaset.it. 17 March 2021. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
    23. ↑ "Mattarella: nella pandemia Italia unita e capace di risollevarsi". ansa.it. ansa.it. 17 March 2021. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
    24. ↑ "Covid: contagi in aumento 23.059 in 24 ore e 431 vittime". ansa.it. ansa.it. 17 March 2021. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
    25. ↑ "18 marzo, l'Italia celebra la Giornata nazionale in memoria delle vittime di Covid". tgcom24.mediaset.it. tgcom24.mediaset.it. 17 March 2021. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
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