What is Italian Flag Day?
Italian Flag Day (Festa del Tricolore or Giornata Nazionale della Bandiera) is celebrated annually on 7th January in Italy. This national holiday commemorates the first official adoption of the tricolore, the green, white, and red tricolour flag, as the national standard by an Italian sovereign state. The day honours one of Italy’s most powerful national symbols and celebrates the values of unity, independence, and national identity that the flag represents.
While Italy has numerous national holidays and commemorations, Flag Day holds special significance as it connects directly to the birth of the modern Italian nation and the long struggle for unification (Risorgimento) that transformed the Italian peninsula from a collection of separate states into a unified country.
The Birth of the Tricolore
The First Adoption: 7th January 1797
The Italian tricolour flag was first officially adopted on 7th January 1797, by the Cispadane Republic (Repubblica Cispadana), a short-lived sister republic of revolutionary France located in northern Italy. The republic was formed from territories in what is now Emilia-Romagna, including the cities of Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, and Ferrara.
On that historic day, the Parliament of the Cispadane Republic, meeting in Reggio Emilia, passed a decree officially adopting a flag featuring three vertical bands of green, white, and red. This made the tricolore the first national flag representing an Italian sovereign state, though the configuration was initially horizontal rather than vertical.
The decree stated: “That the Cispadane Standard or Flag of three Colours, Green, White, and Red, shall become Universal and that these three Colours shall also be used in the Cispadane Cockade, which must be worn by everybody.”
This moment represented more than just the adoption of a flag, it symbolised the awakening of Italian national consciousness and the desire for political unity among the diverse Italian states that had been divided for centuries.
Revolutionary Origins and Inspiration
The creation of the tricolore was deeply influenced by the French Revolution and its ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The French tricolour (blue, white, and red) had become a powerful symbol of revolutionary principles and national unity, inspiring republican movements throughout Europe.
Italian patriots and revolutionaries, influenced by Enlightenment ideas and French revolutionary fervour, sought to create a distinctly Italian symbol that would represent their own aspirations for freedom and national identity. The choice of green, white, and red created a flag that was both inspired by French revolutionary symbolism yet uniquely Italian.
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The exact origins of the colour choice remain somewhat debated by historians. Various theories suggest that the colours were chosen because they were already associated with Italian military uniforms, civic guards, or regional identities. Green and white were the colours of Milan’s civic guard, while red had been added to create a tricolour similar to the French flag.
Symbolic Meaning of the Colours
While the original choice of colours may have been practical or influenced by existing symbols, Italians have attributed various meanings to the three colours over the centuries:
Green has been interpreted as representing the country’s plains and hills, hope for the future, or the rights of citizens.
White is often associated with the snow-capped Alps, faith, or equality.
Red symbolises the blood of Italian patriots who fought for independence and unification, charity, or the passion of the Italian people.
Another popular interpretation connects the colours to the three theological virtues: green for hope (speranza), white for faith (fede), and red for charity (carità).
It’s important to note that, unlike some national flags, the Italian constitution does not officially assign specific meanings to the colours. The flag’s significance comes more from its historical role as a symbol of Italian unity and independence than from the individual meanings of its colours.
Historical Journey of the Tricolore
The Napoleonic Era (1797-1814)
After its adoption by the Cispadane Republic, the tricolore spread to other Italian states created under Napoleon’s influence. The Cisalpine Republic (formed by merging the Cispadane Republic with the Transpadane Republic) adopted the tricolore, as did the Italian Republic (1802-1805) and later the Kingdom of Italy under Napoleon (1805-1814).
During this period, the flag became associated with Italian nationalism and the dream of a unified Italy, even though the Italian states of this era were essentially satellites of France. Napoleon’s reorganisation of the Italian peninsula, while serving French interests, inadvertently fostered a sense of Italian identity and demonstrated the possibility of political unity.
The Restoration and Secret Societies (1815-1848)
After Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna (1815) restored the old order, dividing Italy once again among various kingdoms, duchies, and foreign powers. The Austrian Empire gained significant control over northern Italy, while the Papal States controlled central Italy, and the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ruled the south.
During this period of restoration and repression, the tricolore became a symbol of resistance. Secret revolutionary societies like the Carbonari used the flag as they plotted to overthrow foreign rulers and establish Italian independence. Possession of the tricolore could result in arrest, imprisonment, or execution, making it a powerful symbol of defiance and patriotic commitment.
The flag represented not just national unity but also liberal constitutional ideals, as most Italian patriots sought not only independence from foreign rule but also constitutional government and civil liberties that absolutist monarchies denied.
The Revolutions of 1848
The revolutionary wave that swept Europe in 1848 saw the tricolore once again raised across the Italian peninsula. Uprisings in Milan, Venice, Rome, and other cities challenged Austrian and Bourbon rule. The Kingdom of Sardinia (Piedmont-Sardinia), ruled by the House of Savoy, adopted the tricolore with the Savoy coat of arms in the centre, joining the struggle against Austria.
Although the 1848 revolutions ultimately failed and Austrian control was restored, they demonstrated the strength of Italian nationalist sentiment and the tricolore’s power as a unifying symbol. The flag had become inseparably linked with the cause of Italian independence and unification.
The Risorgimento and Unification (1848-1861)
The Risorgimento (Resurgence), Italy’s movement for independence and unification, unfolded over several decades in the mid-19th century. Key figures like Giuseppe Mazzini, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Camillo Benso di Cavour, and King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia worked through different methods, republican revolution, popular uprising, and diplomatic manoeuvring, toward the common goal of a unified Italy.
Giuseppe Garibaldi’s famous expedition of the Thousand (I Mille) in 1860, which conquered the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, was fought under the tricolore flag. Garibaldi and his red-shirted volunteers became legendary figures, and the tricolore they carried became an enduring symbol of heroic sacrifice for national unity.
On March 17, 1861, the Kingdom of Italy was officially proclaimed, with Victor Emmanuel II as king. The tricolore with the Savoy coat of arms at its centre became the official flag of the new unified nation. Rome was added in 1870, completing the unification process (except for some territories that would be added after World War I).
From Monarchy to Republic (1861-1946)
The tricolore served as Italy’s national flag throughout the monarchical period, bearing the Savoy coat of arms (a red cross on a white shield, crowned) in the center. The flag flew over Italy through periods of industrialization, colonial expansion, World War I (in which Italy fought on the Allied side), the rise of fascism, and World War II.
The fascist period (1922-1943) under Benito Mussolini complicated the flag’s symbolism. While Mussolini’s regime used the tricolore and emphasised Italian nationalism, it corrupted these symbols by associating them with authoritarian rule, aggressive imperialism, and eventually, alliance with Nazi Germany. The fascist regime added its own emblems to the flag in various contexts, though the basic tricolore remained.
The Birth of the Republic (1946)
On June 2, 1946, Italians voted in a referendum to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic. This date, now celebrated as Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica), marked a new beginning for Italy after the devastation of World War II and the fascist period.
With the establishment of the Republic, the Savoy coat of arms was removed from the flag, leaving only the simple tricolore of green, white, and red. This version of the flag, adopted officially on 1st January 1948, with the new republican constitution, represents the Italy we know today.
The removal of the royal coat of arms symbolised not just a change in government form but a renewal of the republican and democratic ideals that had inspired the original adoption of the tricolore in 1797. The flag once again represented the aspirations of the Italian people for liberty, equality, and national unity.
Official Recognition of Flag Day
Establishment of the Holiday
Italian Flag Day was officially established relatively recently in the nation’s history. On 31st December 1996, exactly 200 years after the tricolore’s first adoption, the Italian Parliament passed a law formally recognising 7th January as the National Flag Day (Giornata Nazionale della Bandiera)
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This official recognition came as part of a broader effort to strengthen Italian national identity and civic consciousness in the late 20th century. After decades of rapid social change, economic development, and increasing European integration, Italian leaders sought to reinforce connections to national history and symbols.
The law establishing Flag Day states that the holiday should serve to recall and promote the values of national unity, institutional cohesion, solidarity, and commitment to the common good that the tricolore represents.
First Celebration
The first official celebration of Flag Day took place on January 7, 1997, marking the bicentennial of the tricolore’s adoption. The main ceremony was held in Reggio Emilia, the city where the Cispadane Republic first adopted the flag in 1797.
Then-President of the Republic Oscar Luigi Scalfaro presided over the ceremony, which included the unveiling of a monument dedicated to the tricolore. The event brought together national political leaders, military representatives, students, and citizens to honour the flag and reflect on its significance for Italian identity.
What Happens on Flag Day
Official Ceremonies
Flag Day is marked by official ceremonies throughout Italy, with the main national celebration typically held in Reggio Emilia, the birthplace of the tricolore. The President of the Italian Republic usually presides over or sends a message for the main ceremony.
The central ceremony in Reggio Emilia takes place in the Sala del Tricolore (Hall of the Tricolor) in the Palazzo del Comune (City Hall), the very room where the Cispadane Republic’s parliament met and adopted the flag in 1797. This historic hall has been preserved and serves as a museum and ceremonial space dedicated to the flag’s history.
The ceremony typically includes:
The Changing of the Guard: A formal military ceremony with presentation of colours and ceremonial marches.
Speeches by Officials: The President, government ministers, regional leaders, and local authorities deliver speeches reflecting on the flag’s history and significance.
Historical Readings: Passages from historical documents related to the Risorgimento and Italian unification are read, connecting present celebrations to past sacrifices.
Musical Performances: The national anthem “Il Canto degli Italiani” (also known as “Fratelli d’Italia” or “Mameli’s Hymn”) is performed, along with other patriotic music.
Award Ceremonies: Sometimes civic honours or awards are presented to individuals who have served the nation with distinction.
Public Events and Activities
Throughout Italy, various public events and activities mark Flag Day:
Flag Raising Ceremonies: Public buildings, schools, and institutions raise the tricolore with formal ceremonies. In many cities and towns, the flag is raised in central squares with local officials and citizens in attendance.
Educational Programs: Schools organize special lessons about the flag’s history, the Risorgimento, and Italian civics. Students might participate in projects involving the flag, learn patriotic songs, or visit museums and historical sites.
Museum Exhibitions: Museums, especially those dedicated to the Risorgimento and Italian history, often host special exhibitions, lectures, or guided tours focusing on the flag and the unification movement.
Historical Reenactments: Some cities organize historical reenactments of events from the Risorgimento or the adoption of the tricolore, with participants in period costumes.
Cultural Events: Concerts, theatrical performances, and cultural programs with patriotic themes are held in various cities.
Military Displays: The armed forces participate in ceremonies and sometimes organise displays or open-house events at military bases.
Media Coverage
Italian television and radio provide coverage of the main ceremonies in Reggio Emilia and other significant events around the country. News programs, documentaries, and special broadcasts explore the flag’s history and meaning.
In recent years, social media has played an increasing role in Flag Day observances, with Italians sharing photos of the tricolore, historical information, and personal reflections on national identity using hashtags like #FestadelTricolore and #7gennaio.
Citizen Participation
While Flag Day is not a public holiday with businesses and schools closed (unlike Republic Day on 2nd June), many Italians mark the occasion in personal ways:
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Displaying the Flag: Citizens hang the tricolore from balconies, windows, and doorways, creating a visible display of national pride throughout cities and towns.
Attending Events: Many people attend local ceremonies, visit museums, or participate in community events.
Family Discussions: The day provides an opportunity for families, especially those with school-age children, to discuss Italian history, the meaning of national symbols, and civic values.
Social Media Engagement: Many Italians post messages, images, and reflections about the flag and Italian identity on social media platforms.
Meaning and Significance
Symbol of National Unity
The tricolore’s primary significance is as a symbol of Italian national unity. For a country that was divided into numerous separate states for over a thousand years, the flag represents the hard-won achievement of political unification and the creation of a shared national identity.
Even today, with regional differences in dialect, cuisine, and culture remaining strong, the flag serves as a unifying symbol that transcends local identities. It reminds Italians that despite their diversity, they share a common history, heritage, and future.
Memorial to Sacrifice
The tricolore honours the memory of those who fought and died for Italian independence and unity. From the early revolutionaries of the Cispadane Republic to Garibaldi’s volunteers, from the soldiers of World War I to the partisans who resisted fascism during World War II, countless Italians have sacrificed for the ideals the flag represents.
Flag Day provides an opportunity to remember these sacrifices and to reflect on the responsibilities that come with the freedoms won through such struggles. The red in the flag is often specifically interpreted as representing the blood of these patriots.
Embodiment of Values
The tricolore embodies core values of the Italian Republic: democracy, freedom, equality, solidarity, and justice. These principles, rooted in the liberal and republican ideals of the Risorgimento and reaffirmed in the 1948 Constitution, define what it means to be Italian beyond mere geography or ethnicity.
Flag Day celebrations often emphasize these values, encouraging Italians to not just honour the flag as a symbol but to live up to the ideals it represents through active citizenship and commitment to the common good.
Connection to European Identity
In the context of European integration and Italy’s role in the European Union, the tricolore also represents Italy’s contribution to broader European values and cooperation. While maintaining its significance as a national symbol, the flag exists alongside the European flag, reflecting Italy’s dual identity as both a nation-state and a member of a larger European community.
Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
National Identity in a Globalised World
In an era of globalisation, mass migration, and rapidly changing social structures, national symbols like the tricolore play an important role in maintaining a sense of shared identity and continuity. Flag Day provides an occasion to reflect on what it means to be Italian in the 21st century.
For immigrants seeking to become Italian citizens, the flag represents the values and identity they are joining. Flag Day celebrations can serve as moments of inclusion, welcoming new Italians into the national community while honouring the historical struggles that created that community.
Education and Civic Engagement
Flag Day serves an important educational function, especially for younger generations. By learning about the flag’s history, students gain insight into the Risorgimento, the long struggle for democracy and national independence, and the importance of civic engagement.
In schools throughout Italy, Flag Day lessons connect historical events to contemporary citizenship, helping students understand that the rights and freedoms they enjoy were hard-won and must be actively maintained through informed, responsible participation in democratic life.
Political Discourse
Like national symbols in any country, the tricolore sometimes becomes part of political discourse, with different parties and movements claiming to represent its “true” meaning or values. Flag Day can become an occasion for political leaders to articulate their vision for Italy’s future while connecting it to the nation’s past.
However, the day’s primary focus remains on unity and shared values rather than partisan divisions. The non-partisan nature of the flag as a symbol is emphasised, reminding Italians that whatever their political differences, they share a common national identity and heritage.
International Recognition
The Italian tricolore is recognised worldwide as a symbol of Italy, its culture, and its people. The flag represents Italian excellence in art, design, cuisine, fashion, and numerous other fields. Flag Day, while primarily an internal Italian celebration, also serves to project Italian identity and values to the world.
Italian communities abroad often mark Flag Day with their own ceremonies, maintaining connections to the homeland and passing on Italian heritage to new generations born outside Italy.
Comparison with Other National Observances
Republic Day (2nd June)
While Flag Day celebrates the tricolore itself, Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica) on 2nd June commemorates the 1946 referendum that established the Italian Republic. Republic Day is a national public holiday with more elaborate celebrations, including a major military parade in Rome attended by the President and other officials.
Both holidays celebrate Italian democracy and national identity, but Flag Day is more focused specifically on the flag’s history and symbolic meaning, while Republic Day celebrates the republican form of government more broadly.
Liberation Day (25th April)
Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione) marks Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation and the fall of fascism in 1945. It honours the partisans and Allied forces who freed Italy and celebrates the values of freedom, resistance to tyranny, and anti-fascism.
While Liberation Day has its own specific historical focus, it shares with Flag Day an emphasis on the sacrifices made for Italian freedom and the importance of defending democratic values against authoritarian threats.
Unity and National Day (17th March)
Since 2011, 17th March, the anniversary of Italian unification in 1861, has been celebrated as the Day of National Unity and of the Armed Forces (Giorno dell’Unità nazionale e Giornata delle Forze Armate).
This observance shares Flag Day’s focus on national unity and the Risorgimento but specifically honours the armed forces’ role in achieving and defending that unity. Together, these various holidays form a calendar of national commemoration that keeps Italian history and values alive in public consciousness.
Challenges and Controversies
Regional Tensions
Italy’s strong regional identities sometimes create tensions with national symbolism. Some regions, particularly in the north and south, have separatist or autonomist movements that question the value of Italian unity or advocate for greater regional independence.
Flag Day can become a moment when these tensions surface, though it also provides an opportunity to emphasise what unites Italians across regional differences. The challenge is to honour regional diversity while maintaining national cohesion.
Political Appropriation
Like national symbols everywhere, the tricolore is sometimes appropriated by political movements for partisan purposes. Populist and nationalist parties sometimes claim exclusive ownership of patriotic symbols, potentially alienating those who don’t share their political views.
Efforts to keep Flag Day celebrations non-partisan and inclusive are important for maintaining the flag’s status as a symbol for all Italians, regardless of political affiliation.
Generational Differences
Younger Italians sometimes have different relationships with national symbols than older generations. While many young people embrace their Italian identity, they may express it differently or prioritise other identities (regional, European, global) alongside national identity.
Flag Day celebrations that feel overly traditional or disconnected from contemporary concerns may struggle to engage younger audiences. Finding ways to make the flag’s values relevant to contemporary issues is an ongoing challenge.
The Future of Flag Day
As Italy continues to evolve in the 21st century, Flag Day is likely to adapt while maintaining its core purpose of honouring the tricolore and the values it represents. Future directions might include:
Greater Digital Engagement: Expanding social media and digital initiatives to reach younger, more tech-savvy audiences.
Inclusive Celebrations: Ensuring that celebrations reflect Italy’s increasing diversity and include immigrant communities becoming part of Italian society.
Educational Innovation: Developing new educational approaches that connect the flag’s history to contemporary issues like democracy, human rights, and civic participation.
Environmental Themes: Some have suggested connecting national identity to environmental stewardship, emphasising Italians’ responsibility to preserve their beautiful land for future generations.
International Dimension: Strengthening connections with Italian communities abroad and emphasising Italy’s role in European and global cooperation.
Conclusion
Italian Flag Day stands as an important occasion in the national calendar, honouring not just a piece of cloth but the ideals, struggles, and aspirations it represents. The tricolore’s journey from its first adoption by the Cispadane Republic in 1797 through the long struggle for unification, the establishment of the Republic, and into the present day mirrors Italy’s own journey as a nation.
The flag embodies the courage of those who fought for Italian independence, the vision of those who dreamed of a unified nation, and the sacrifices of those who defended democratic values against tyranny. It represents both historical achievement and ongoing responsibility, the responsibility of each generation to uphold and advance the values of unity, freedom, equality, and justice.
In celebrating Flag Day, Italians affirm their commitment to these values and to the shared identity that the tricolore symbolises. The day serves as a reminder that national identity is not static but living, maintained through active citizenship, civic engagement, and dedication to the common good.
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As Italy faces the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, from economic pressures to social change to questions about Europe’s future, the tricolore remains a powerful symbol of continuity and unity. Flag Day provides an annual opportunity for Italians to pause, reflect on their history, honour those who came before, and renew their commitment to building a future worthy of the ideals their flag represents.
Whether marked by formal ceremonies in Reggio Emilia, educational programs in schools, family discussions, or simply displaying the green, white, and red from a balcony, Flag Day connects millions of Italians to a shared heritage and a common future, keeping alive the spirit of unity and freedom that the tricolore has symbolised for over two centuries.
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