Years ago I awoke in a hotel in Rome on a sunny morning to the sound of bands playing and troops marching through the city. When I turned on the television, I saw crowds massed along the streets, flags fluttering in the sky and scores of uniformed soldiers. Rushing to the concierge, I asked what was going on.
"Signora, è il due di giugno!" he exclaimed. "La festa della Repubblica d'Italia!" (the Feast of the Italian Republic). When I looked baffled, he compared it to the most American of celebrations: "il vostro Quattro Luglio" (your Fourth of July). This year marks the Republic's 70th anniversary. By comparison, America's Independence Day, which commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, seems an old holiday.
Fonte: L'italo-Americano
