The skies of Rome were colored in red white and green today to mark Italy's Republic Day. Celebrations took place in central Rome with 3,400 members of the armed forces and civilians marching down the central Via dei Fori Imperiali.
Italy's Republic Day commemorates the June 2, 1946 referendum when Italians decided on the form of government the country should take after the end of World War II. Italy voted to become a republic, and the monarchs of the House of Savoy were deposed and exiled.
Italian carabinieri band members parade on horses in central Rome on June 2, 2015, during the military parade as part of celebrations marking Italy's Republic Day.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi waves to people on Via dei Fori Imperiali avenue in central Rome on June 2, 2015, during celebrations marking Italy's Republic Day.
Italian special unit airforce "Frecce Tricolori" (Tri-colour Arrows) spread smoke with the colours of the Italian flag over the military parade at Via dei Fori Imperiali avenue in central Rome on June 2, 2015 during the military parade as part of celebrations marking Italy's Republic Day.
Italian carabinieri march on Via dei Fori Imperiali in central Rome on June 2, 2015, during the military parade as part of celebrations marking Italy's Republic Day.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella (C) and Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti (L) review a guard of honour at the Vittorio Emanuele monument in central Rome on June 2, 2015, during celebrations marking Italy's Republic Day.
Italian special unit airforce "Frecce Tricolori" (Tri-colour Arrows) spread smoke with the colours of the Italian flag over the military parade at Via dei Fori Imperiali avenue in central Rome on June 2, 2015 during the military parade as part of celebrations marking Italy's Republic Day.
Italian Bersaglieri run on Via dei Fori Imperiali in central Rome on June 2, 2015, during the military parade as part of celebrations marking Italy's Republic Day.
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© AP Photo
The 'Frecce Tricolori' Italian Air Force acrobatic squad fly over Rome, Tuesday, June 2, 2015 during the Republic Day parade celebrating the anniversary of the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946.
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© AP Photo
The 'Frecce Tricolori' Italian Air Force acrobatic squad fly over Rome, Tuesday, June 2, 2015 during the Republic Day parade celebrating the anniversary of the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946.
Italian carabinieri band members parade on horses in central Rome on June 2, 2015, during the military parade as part of celebrations marking Italy's Republic Day.
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© AP Photo
The 'Frecce Tricolori' Italian Air Force acrobatic squad fly over Rome, Tuesday, June 2, 2015 during the Republic Day parade celebrating the anniversary of the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946.
