This annual national holiday celebrates the day when, in 1946, Italians voted to abolish the monarchy and give birth to the Republic of Italy, sending the royal family into exile.

When Italians were asked to vote how they would like their country to be ruled, they had just begun recovering from World War II and an era of Fascism.

Though the monarchy had been generally popular among the public throughout its 85-year reign, its decision to openly support Benito Mussolini’s rule and fascist beliefs saw it fall out of favour with the Italian people during the war.

The referendum resulted in 12,717,923 votes in favour of the republic (54 per cent) and 10,719,284 votes in favour of the monarchy (45 per cent).

As a consequence, all male members and future heirs of the ruling House of Savoy were exiled from Italy, never to return again.

The House of Savoy had ruled since Italy’s Unification in 1861, when Vittorio Emanuele II was crowned the King of Italy.

But Italy’s last ruler, Umberto II, or Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Maria di Savoia, held the title of King for just over a month, from May 9, 1946 to June 12, 1946.

His short stint on the throne earned him the nickname “Re di Maggio”, or the “May King”.

While Italy’s constitution now forbids a monarchy to rule again, the House of Savoy family has been given the right to return from exile on the condition that they formally renounce their claim to the throne and recognise the Italian Republic as the country’s legitimate government, which they did in 2002.

La Festa della Repubblica hasn’t always been celebrated on June 2.

In 1977, due to economic reasons, the national holiday was moved to the first Sunday in June, and remained that way for 22 years until 1999, when June 2 was recognised as the official date.

The first Sunday of June was chosen because it had long been recognised as a national holiday in Italy; before becoming a Republic, Italy celebrated the anniversary of the granting of the Albertine Statute, a constitution of 1848 which was seen as the foundation of the Kingdom of Italy.

Today, June 2 is a day of national celebration, from official ceremonies to military parades.

Each year, a laurel wreath is laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Altare della Patria in Rome, before a grand military parade unfolds in the Italian capital’s centre.

A major highlight of the day is the flyover by the Frecce Tricolori, when nine Italian Air Force aircraft soar over the Altare della Patria sending streaks of green, white, and red smoke into the sky.

If they’re not attending these ceremonies alongside Italy’s highest officials, many Italians spend La Festa della Repubblica away from home, especially if it falls on a weekend.

With the national holiday falling on a Friday this year, Italian hotel association Federalberghi estimates that some 7.7 million Italians will travel over the long weekend as the weather warms up.

June 2 marks not only the moment Italy became a nation, but also the beginning of summer.

If that isn’t reason enough to celebrate, then we don’t know what is!