Today, June 2, the Head of State laid a laurel wreath on the Altar of the Fatherland, paying homage to the Unknown Soldier and officially kicking off the celebrations for the 79th anniversary of the birth of the Republic. The gesture took place as per tradition in front of the Vittoriano, in the presence of the highest offices of state and a representation of the Armed Forces. This solemn act opened a day that, as every year, keeps alive the memory of a crucial choice in Italian history: the one made for the referendum of June 2 and 3, 1946, when the Italian people, with 12,718,641 votes in favor and 10,718,502 against, chose the Republic in place of the Monarchy, starting a new political and institutional chapter after the 20-year fascist period.
Seventy-nine years ago, the Italian people decreed, with their vote, the birth of the Republic, at the culmination of a long journey that began with the Liberation War. With the referendum of June 2, 1946, the Italians chose to continue on a path toward the affirmation of values of freedom, democracy and peace, transfused in the Constitution that would soon see the light of day. Values on which our civic community is founded and to which all institutions called upon to work on behalf of the community turn.
Sergio Mattarella
Thus opened President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella’s message addressed to Defense Chief of Staff Luciano Portolano, speaking of the deep connection between the republican order and the values that inspire the daily actions of the Armed Forces: democracy, peace and freedom. Recalling the Republic’s historical roots in the Liberation movement, Mattarella celebrated the fundamental role that the Army, Navy, Air Force and Carabinieri continue to play both domestically and internationally, providing security and helping to protect the principles of international law. In addition to the Armed Forces, the Fire Brigade, Italian Red Cross, Police, Guardia di Finanza and Forest Guard also participate in the June 2 parade.
I Vigili del Fuoco srotolano un’enorme bandiera dell’Italia sul Colosseo
Over the years, Republic Day has been transformed from a simple institutional celebration to a collective moment of reflection on the country’s democratic resilience. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto himself has spoken of “illusion” in thinking that peace is guaranteed forever:
We live in complex and challenging times, unfortunately marked by new and multifaceted threats: hybrid wars, global strategic competition, conflicts over access to critical resources and technological domains. The boundaries of security have expanded now include space, cyberspace, the seabed, and the digital sphere. Strategic vision, anticipation, and awareness of change are needed. Unfortunately, there is a need to abandon the illusion of peace guaranteed forever, defending against external threats and those global actors who consider our core values-peace, security, freedom and democracy-a frill. We must build a robust and interoperable National Defense, strengthening and complementing NATO, through the construction of a European Pillar of Defense.
Guido Crosetto
There was also no lack of a message from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, entrusted to social media:
We celebrate the birth of our Republic. A day that reminds us who we are: a proud people, capable of rising up after the hardest trials, holding firmly to the values of freedom, unity and national identity. Celebrating Italy today means honoring those who gave their lives to defend it, and those who serve it every day with courage, dedication and silent pride. To be Italian is to belong to something great, which must be defended, loved, transmitted
Giorgia Meloni
The article What Mattarella said for Republic Day comes from TheNewyorker.
