Republic Day 2 June 2024

The Italian Republic was born on 2 June 1946, when a universal suffrage referendum (which also marked the entry of women into Italian political life) was held to choose the institutional form to be given to the country. Sunday 2 June is therefore the 78th anniversary of Republic Day and, as usual, Rome is the center of the celebrations.

“In Defense of the Republic. In the Service of the Country” is the theme identified this year for the celebrations, which open at 9:15 a.m. the solemn flag-raising at the Altare della Patria and the homage to the Unknown Soldier with the laying of a laurel wreath by the President of the Republic, accompanied by the highest offices of state.

The President of the Republic will then receive in Via di San Gregorio (between the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus) the units involved for the traditional parade that has been held along Via dei Fori Imperiali since 1948. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and sees the participation of all components of the state: military and civilian personnel, armed and unarmed corps, flags and banners, military bands and fanfares. The final honors are given by the fanfare of the 4th Mounted Carabinieri Regiment and the Corazzieri Regiment. Finally, one of the most eagerly awaited events is the spectacular passage through the skies over Rome of theFrecce Tricolori Acrobatic Training Group, National Aerobatic Team: nine of which are in formation and one solo, it is the world’s largest aerobatic patrol and one of the most famous thanks to their flight program. 

On the afternoon of 2 June, the public opening of the Quirinal Gardens (from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.) will be reserved for the vulnerable sections of the population. State museums and archaeological sites will be open with free admission (access to the Colosseum is normally allowed from the conclusion of the parade, indicatively around 2 p.m.); since the Republic Day coincides with the first Sunday of the month, the Civic Museum System of Roma Capitale will also be open with free admission.