The 2nd of June is a national holiday in Italy as it marks the date when Italy became a Republic 59 years ago on the 2nd of June 1946. On that date a referendum was held to determine whether the Italians would prefer to keep a system of Monarchy with the King as head of state or become a republic.
The results of the referendum are celebrated with the a grand military parade in Rome and on this date the President of the Republic also affords honours to exceptional citizens, through the title of Cavalieri del Lavoro
Another point of note of the holiday is that since it arrives on a Thursday it provides Italians with the perfect opportunity to create their famous holiday "ponte" or bridge - i.e. take Friday as a day off work as well so as to add it to the weekend thus creating a four-day holiday! It is expected that 15 million Italians will be on the move between the 2nd and 5th of June, with most heading to favourite seaside destinations such as Sardinia and Sicily.
