HappyFresh Special
Discover the significance of Italy's Republic Day, Festa della Repubblica, and try two easy Italian recipes at home in honour of this national holiday
June 2 marks a very special day for Italians; a day known as Festa della Repubblica. This annual celebration in Italy is a national holiday that dates back to 1946, when the entire Italian population voted for the very first time in a referendum that caused the shift of government in Italy from a monarchy to a republic.
A momentous day in history signifying the rebirth of a nation and the freedom, liberty and unity that are so dear to its citizens, Festa della Repubblica is typically celebrated with grand military parades in Rome and a spectacular aerial display of the three colours of the Italian flag by the Italian Air Force's aerobatic section known as Frecce Tricolori. The day is also marked by the laying of wreaths at the historical Altare della Patria monument, where the Tomb of Italy's Unknown Soldier (Tomba del Milite Ignoto) lies.
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The colours of red, green and white in the Italian flag itself are strongly evocative of the nation's natural beauty and history, with the green colour representing its plains and hills, the white representing the iconic Alps, and the red symbolic of the blood spilled in Italy's fight for Independence.
The national flag is such a beloved symbol to Italians that its colours have found their way into fixtures of everyday life, including in iconic Italian foods like pizzas, salads or gelato. The colourful Caprese salad is an excellent example of a dish that showcases all three colours of the Italian flag beautifully.