About National Unity and Armed Forces Day
A national day from its inception in 1919, Giornata dell'Unità Nazionale e delle Forze Armate marks the anniversary of the ratification of the Armistice of Villa Giusti between Italy and Austria-Hungary.
The occasion has been celebrated for 100 years since, making it one of Italy's oldest national holidays and one of the few to be observed before, during and after the Fascist era.
While protesters of the 1960s and '70s objected to what they saw as the glorification of militarism and nationalism, the holiday survived, though celebrations became progressively smaller.
It used to be a public holiday until 1977, when it was moved to the first Sunday in November, so no longer a day off. This meant the celebrations for the day have reverted back to November 4th.
