March 17th: A Tale of Two Celebrations

While March 17th is globally recognized for the green hues of St. Patrick’s Day, a celebration of Irish culture and heritage, Italy embraces this day with a profound sense of national pride. On this day in 1861, the Kingdom of Italy was declared, marking a pivotal moment in Italian history: the unification of Italy. This day, known as the Day of Unity or Il Giorno dell’Unità, symbolizes the culmination of a complex journey towards national unity and independence.

The Road to Unification
The story of Italy’s unification, or the Risorgimento, is one of intrigue, perseverance, and the unwavering spirit of a people divided by multiple sovereignties yet united by a common culture, language, and dream. Before 1861, what we now know as Italy was a mosaic of kingdoms, duchies, and republics, including the globally influential Papal States.

The movement towards Italian unification was propelled by the tireless efforts of visionaries such as Giuseppe Garibaldi, Count Camillo di Cavour, and Giuseppe Mazzini. Their diverse approaches – ranging from diplomatic negotiations and strategic alliances to military campaigns – gradually wove together the fabric of a nation.

Declaration of the Kingdom of Italy
The declaration of the Kingdom of Italy on March 17th, 1861, with Turin as its first capital, was a monumental achievement. Victor Emmanuel II, formerly the King of Sardinia, ascended as the first king of a united Italy. However, the unification was not yet complete. Rome and Venice remained under foreign control and would only become part of Italy in 1870 and 1866, respectively.

The Legacy of Unification
Today, March 17th serves not only as a reminder of Italy’s unification but also as a reflection on the enduring quest for unity and identity within the country. It is a day of national pride, celebrated with events and commemorations that honor the past while looking forward to the future.

The unification of Italy stands as a testament to the power of shared identity and collective ambition. It reminds us of the lengths to which people will go to forge a united nation, offering lessons in resilience and unity that resonate well beyond Italian borders.

While the rest of the world may don green and raise glasses to St. Patrick on March 17th, Italy commemorates a day that shaped its history and identity in the most profound ways. The Declaration of the Kingdom of Italy is a story of unity, ambition, and the triumph of a collective dream – a narrative that continues to inspire and define the nation. To Celebrate this occasion we have prepared d music video featuring the Vittoriano and the Music of Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi.