Anniversary of the Unification of Italy | |
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Official name | Anniversario dell'Unità d'Italia |
Observed by | Italy |
Type | National |
Significance | Birth of the Italian state in the form of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 |
Celebrations | Various events throughout Italy |
Date | 17 March |
Next time | 17 March 2025 |
Frequency | annual |
First time | 17 March 1911 |
Related to |
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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.[1]
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 (Victory 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.[2]
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).[3]
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".[4]