The Liberation Day honours all those who perished during the war, from troops fighting overseas to civilian fatalities. During the conflict, an estimated half a million Italians died.
The lives of partisans in the Italian Resistance who battled both Mussolini's army and the Nazis are particularly recognised.
The liberation also signalled the end of 23 years of fascist tyranny in Italy.
The Italian president attends a ceremony in the morning at the Altare della Patria in Rome to commemorate the day. Furthermore, the National Partisan Association of Italy, or ANPI, organises marches around the country to commemorate the day. These celebrations are frequently marked with speeches, the laying of wreaths, and the singing of Bella Ciao, the anti-fascist resistance's hymn.
