What is Republic Day?
Republic Day marks the day a country became or was proclaimed a republic, though the event differs. Italy celebrates it on 2 June, in memory of the referendum of 2 and 3 June 1946 in which Italians chose to abolish the monarchy, and the Festa della Repubblica is marked by a military parade in Rome. Portugal observes 5 October, recalling the proclamation of the republic in 1910, which ended the monarchy. Malta's Republic Day is 13 December, the date in 1974 when Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth.
Turkey celebrates Republic Day on 29 October, marking the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk; the celebrations begin on the afternoon of the 28th. North Macedonia observes it on 2 August, which recalls both the Ilinden uprising of 1903 and the first session of the anti-fascist assembly ASNOM in 1944. The day is often marked with flags, concerts and awards for citizens, and in Turkey with torchlight processions in the evening.
Why it is observed
Republic days usually mark a break with monarchy or with colonial arrangements. Italy's referendum came after the Second World War and the end of the fascist period, and it led to the republican constitution of 1948. For economic reasons the holiday was moved to the first Sunday of June in 1977 and restored to 2 June in 2001. Portugal's holiday on 5 October was removed from the calendar from 2013 and restored in 2016. Turkey's date reflects the founding of the modern state after the Turkish War of Independence. Each holiday reflects a very different national story.
How the date is set
There is no single date. Republic Day is a generic name for the anniversary of the proclamation of a republic, and the date and the event depend on the country. All the dates are fixed in the calendar.
How it is observed
Where it is a public holiday, banks, offices, schools and most shops close, and in the capital there are official events, such as the parade on the Via dei Fori Imperiali in Rome or the ceremonies in Ankara. Some countries move holidays that fall on a weekend, and others do not. In 2027 the dates include 2 June in Italy (a Wednesday), 5 October in Portugal and 29 October in Turkey, where government offices and many businesses close from 1 p.m. on 28 October. Pay and time off depend on national law and the contract.
Sources
Italy
Malta
North Macedonia
Portugal
Türkiye