The Festa Della Repubblica commemorates the institutional referendum of 1946. It followed the fall of fascism after the Second World War and the public of Italy were asked to decide whether they wanted to be governed by a monarch or republic. It is celebrated on the second day of June and marks the birth of a new Italian nation.
The Italian Kingdom
The kingdom of Italy was restored in 1814 by the House of Savoy following considerable battles and was the first Italian state to encompass the Italian Peninsula since the fall of the Roman Empire. The House of Savoy continued to rule Italy for many years and through the wars of independence and unification. Italy became a unified nation on March 17 1861 when most of the states (and Sicily) were governed by King Victor Emmanuel III. Prior to that, he had been King of Sardinia. The unification was in the main orchestrated by the Chief Minister to the King, Count Camillo Benso Di Cavour.
However, Rome did not become part of unified Italy for another ten years, during this time it remained under the rule of the Papacy.
The Italian Referendum
Following the First World War, King Victor Emmanuel made a decision, which would eventually lead to the successful ousting of his monarchic rule. He refused to move against Mussolini and his Blackshirts and essentially allowed the power base of Fascist power to increase. Mussolini was then selected by the King to become Prime Minister in 1922. This was despite advice to the contrary from his advisors.
Towards the end of the Second World War as it became clear that the Fascist rule was faltering, the public were asked to decide between keeping the monarchy and opting to become a republic. King Victor Emmanuel had abdicated his position by this time allowing his son, Crown Prince Umberto to take the throne and in the hope that this might influence public opinion. However, 54% of the population voted in favour of a republic and the Savoy family were asked to leave the country. They fled to Egypt, where Victor Emmanuel died and is buried. A Constitution of the Italian Republic was formed which forbade any male descendants of the House of Savoy from entering the country. This was lifted some time later in 2002, with the condition that any existing members gave up any claims to power.
The Festa Della Republicca is an important day of celebration in Italy, not only because it represents the birth of a new era of governance and the beginning of a new nation but also because it marks the day that women were invited to the polls to vote.
