Italian Constitution

The Italian Constitution

The Italian Constitution is the fundamental law of our Republic, in fact it is the document through which our Republic was founded.

It came into effect on January 1st 1948

Three original copies exist, one of them is kept in the historical archive of the President of the Republic.

It has got specific features

1. It is written

2. It is rigid

3. It is long

4. It is voted

5. It is compromising

6. It is democratic

7. It is programmatic

2nd June 1946

On the 2nd June 1946 the italian citizens (women Included for the 1st time) chose to live in a Republic through a Referendum.

After the Referendum

• An assembly of people started to work on the Constitution;

• Women were included.

• The assembly was made up of 556 members;
• They came from different parties;
• They had been elected on 2nd June 1946.
• The president was Umberto Terracini.

Structure

Part 3

Part 2

Part 1

Organization of the Republic:art. 55-139

Fundamental principles:art. 1-12

Rights and duties of the citizens:art. 13-54

It's up to you now

1. Which are the "Titoli" of the second part?
2. Which are the "Titoli" of the third part?
3. What is the meaning of Titolo in this case?

Art. 1

Art. 3

Focus on the following articles

Art. 12

Art. 87

Disp. transitorie e finali XIV

Disp. transitorie e finali XII

The emblem

• What is the difference between an emblem and a coat of arms?

• What is the story behind our emblem?

What do the parts of the emblem represent?