Festa della Republica

This year, I'll get to celebrate two countries' birthdays! In just over a month, I'll be home for Fouth of July barbeques, beach trips, and buddies. But today, while in Rome, we celebrated the 63rd year of Italy as a reublic. In 1946, the citizens of the country voted for a republic over a monarchy by nearly 2,000, officially ending the 85 year monarch.

Instead of going to class this morning, we headed to to Via dei Fori Imperiali to stake out a good spot for the parade. Jackie, Aimee, and I were able to get a view from up on a hill and watch the goings on down below. All different segments of the military marched during the parade, some showing some very unique formal attire.

Although this was the official parade day, the girls and I got a sneak peak Friday night while walking home from Piazza Navona. At around 3am, the main road was closed and we stopped to ask the esercito what was going on. Here, they were having a practice for the main event that took place today. When we walk by security personnel during the day, sometimes they look pretty scary; Friday we were laughing and joking around with them. The carabinieri even pulled us aside for a picture.

I wish the cop who pulled me over in May would have liked to laugh a little bit.

1. "The “Festa della Repubblica” is the Italian national holiday." Welcome to Italian Week 2009 in Brisbane - THE ITALIAN FESTIVAL. 02 June 2009 .