Italian Independence Day, 2008

Proclamation 8266 of May 30, 2008

Italian Independence Day, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Italian Independence Day, we recognize our
friendship with the nation of Italy, and we celebrate
the generations of Italian Americans who have made
significant contributions to our national character.

June 2, 1946, marks the birth of the Italian Republic,
the long-awaited triumph of liberty and democracy in an
ancient land. Today, Italy is a friend of the United
States and an ally of freedom and peace. Italians and
Americans join together on Italian Independence Day to
commemorate Italy's independence and celebrate its rich
history.

The people of our two countries share special ties
rooted in history, friendship, and family. Millions of
American citizens have Italian ancestry, and they and
their forebears have helped shape our way of life.
Americans are grateful for the many contributions
Italians and Italian Americans have made to our history
and our culture, and we are proud that our nations are
allies in the cause of peace and security around the
world.

In celebrating Italian Independence Day, we commemorate
the freedoms our countries hold dear, and we honor the
generations of Italian Americans who came to our shores
seeking opportunity. They have helped to shape our
great Nation and influenced American life for the
better.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim June 2, 2008, as Italian
Independence Day. I call upon all Americans to observe
this day by celebrating the contributions of Italians
and Italian Americans to our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.