June 2nd, 1946 marks one of the most consequential days in modern Italian history and it’s one that I personally think everyone should know about (and care about). It came in the immediate aftermath of a devastating World War that had left Europe in ruins, and it was the moment Italy’s population had to decide what kind of country they wanted to become. Behind them: 85 years of monarchy under the House of Savoy, who had ruled since unification in 1861.
Ahead: an uncertain but open future.
The question on the ballot was stark. Republic or monarchy?
The rest is well and truly history. On June 2nd, 1946, Italians voted to abolish the monarchy and the Republic of Italy was born, which is exactly why we celebrate Festa della Repubblica, or Republic Day, every year on this date.
And the truth is, the vote was far closer than many remember. The referendum resulted in 12,717,923 votes for the republic and 10,719,284 against: roughly 54% to 45%.
Because of the outcome, the ruling House of Savoy: specifically its male members and heirs: were exiled from Italy. Perhaps more significantly, Italian women voted for the first time in this referendum, a historic milestone woven directly into the foundation of the new state. The constitution that followed explicitly forbids the reestablishment of a monarchy.
This year marks the 80th anniversary, making 2026 a particularly meaningful edition of the holiday.
How Italy celebrates
Nationally, the day is marked by military parades in Rome, most spectacularly by the Frecce Tricolori, Italy’s acrobatic Air Force team, whose red, white, and green smoke trails over the capital have become one of the most iconic images of the day. It’s also a proper holiday which means many people go to the seaside, visit museums which are free in some cities or just kick it with their families.
What’s happening in Florence today
Florence is going all out for the 80th anniversary with a full program in the city center.
This morning, celebrations began in Piazza della Repubblica with the flag-raising ceremony (Alzabandiera) at 10am, attended by city officials and military authorities. A procession then moved to Piazza della Signoria, where Mayor Sara Funaro gave remarks and the prefect read the President of the Republic’s official message. The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic honors were also presented.
This evening, the program continues:
- 6pm, Piazza della Signoria: Free outdoor screening of Paola Cortellesi’s acclaimed film C’è ancora domani — a film that feels almost tailor-made for today, given its themes of women’s agency and postwar Italy. Set in postwar Rome and centered on a woman quietly claiming her right to vote, it’s difficult to imagine a more fitting film for the occasion. C’è ancora domani (There’s Still Tomorrow) became a cultural phenomenon in Italy before reaching U.S. theaters in March 2025, winning six David di Donatello Awards and introducing international audiences to a lesser-known but quietly radical chapter of modern Italian history. Directed by and starring Paola Cortellesi as Delia, the black-and-white film tells its story through the rhythms of everyday postwar life, which also makes it an unexpectedly powerful tool for Italian language learners. Tonight’s free screening in Piazza della Signoria feels less like a programming choice and more like the obvious one.
- 8:45pm, Piazza della Signoria: Live RAI broadcast from the Quirinale Palace — “I Volti della Repubblica, 80 anni dal Referendum” — introduced by Florence’s culture assessor Benedetta Albanese. Worth catching if you’re anywhere near the center tonight.
Also opening today in Palazzo Vecchio’s Cortile di Michelozzo: the exhibition “Marianne d’Italia”, a photography project by Riccardo Bagnali inspired by Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People. Eighty images across seven panels, built around themes of freedom, equality, and female strength — very much in the spirit of the day.
Free museum entry today
One of the best perks of June 2nd: all state museums in Italy offer free admission. In Florence, that includes:
- Galleria dell’Accademia (home of Michelangelo’s David)
- Museo Nazionale del Bargello — where you can also watch the live restoration of the base of Cellini’s Perseus, currently open to visitors as a working site
- Museo delle Cappelle Medicee
- Museo di San Marco
- Cenacolo di Andrea del Sarto a San Salvi
- Palazzo Davanzati
And if you haven’t been yet: Rothko a Firenze at Palazzo Strozzi has already passed 150,000 visitors and is one of the strongest shows the city has seen in years. Over 70 works on loan from the MoMA, the Met, the Tate, Centre Pompidou, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington. The Thursday late-night opening (until 11pm) is the ideal way to see it in my opinion. (Palazzo Strozzi is privately run and not part of the free state museum day, but very much worth the ticket.)
The bigger picture
What makes today worth marking, beyond the parties and the flyovers, is that the Republic was not inevitable. It was chosen, narrowly, by a country emerging from war and occupation, and crucially by women voting for the first time.
Eighty years on, the Festa della Repubblica is both a celebration and a reminder thatthe freedoms Italy has aren’t ancient inheritance.
One show I recommend watching to get a better idea of this period is The Leopard on Netflix which follows the Prince of Salina and his aristocratic family in 19th‑century Sicily as they navigate the upheaval of Italy’s unification, confronting the clash between tradition, privilege, and revolutionary change.
Are you in Florence today? The Piazza della Signoria program tonight is genuinely worth it: the outdoor screening of C’è ancora domani followed by the live RAI broadcast makes for an unusual and memorable evening in one of the world’s great public space
