This date is celebrated every year as the official liberation of Italy from the German invasion and the last fascist troops, fighting alongside the Germans.
Since then, a national holiday in Italy. WWII officially ended here on May 2nd and three days later in the rest of Europe.
Documentaries shot during those days are more eloquent than simple words and worth hundreds of speeches.
Here are images of Milano on April 25th, 1945. The combatants wearing strange uniforms or in civilian clothes are partisans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKXyY6Ye7M4
This below was shot in Argenta first and Ferrara later, following the Allied troops advance. Two cities of my region, about a two hour car ride East of where I live.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM3nNtcZh2k
This last one shows US 34th Division entering Reggio Emilia on April 25th. Shortly thereafter they arrived in Parma and Fidenza, my hometown. Highway 9, known here as Via Emilia, was built by the Romans and still runs on a West-East line through the entire region.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu9VwjEHq1w
Least we forget.
KH
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