National Liberation Day (Il Giorno Della Liberazione) is observed annually on April 25 in Italy to commemorate the beginning of the end of Nazi totalitarianism. In 1949, Alcide De Gasperi, then-prime minister of Italy, declared this day a national holiday.Also known as ‘La Festa Della Resistenza’ (Anniversary of the Resistance), it honours all political partisans who fought against the Nazis.During World War II, Italy signed an armistice (the Armistice of Cassibile) with the Allies on September 3, 1943. The nation lacked an official guide.
The background of National Liberation Day
On September 8, German forces seized control of train stations, airports, and garrisons. And on September 9, the National Liberation Committee was established. With the Italian state dissolved and its leaders lacking credibility, the partisans turned to the liberation war.
The Italian partisan resistance included various groups and political organisations, such as the Italian Socialist Party, the Italian Communist Party, the Christian Democrats, the Italian Liberal Party, and others. Collectively, they constituted the National Liberation Committee.
Huge portions of the population participated in partisan formations and constituted an army of approximately 300,000 individuals (including an estimated 70,000 women). Bologna was the first city to be attacked on April 19, 1945, and it was liberated on April 21, followed by Genoa (April 23), Milan and Turin (April 25), and Venice (April 28). And eventually, on May 2, German forces capitulated.
On April 25 in the morning, partisan Sandro Pertini declared a general strike. He subsequently became president of the republic. The Liberation resulted in a referendum on June 2 that ended the monarchy and established the Italian Republic. This history continues to influence contemporary Italian culture.
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NATIONAL LIBERATION DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | April 25 | Tuesday |
2024 | April 25 | Thursday |
2025 | April 25 | Friday |
2026 | April 25 | Saturday |
2027 | April 25 | Sunday |