Protection and defense of Italy, but also contributing to its growth. These are the principles underlying the birth of the Carabinieri Corps. The "Meritorious" was founded on July 13, 1814, an important date and above all part of the history of Italy. Even if the soldiers of the Arma also celebrate on another date, June 5, what is commonly referred to as the date of foundation. So, to understand a little more of this security body, let's try to retrace its history right now in which the two hundred and sixth year of the body's birth occurs.
Carabinieri corps, the happy intuition of the sovereign Vittorio Emanuele I
Did you know the credit for having created the body of the carabinieri is due to the then king of the Sardinian Kingdom Piemontese Victor Emmanuel I? In fact, as the documents of the time report, it was he himself to establish it on July 13, 1814. Through the document on “the royal patents”. "A Corps of soldiers distinguished by good conduct and wisdom, called the Royal Carabinieri Corps (...) - reads in the document -. In order to contribute more and more to the greater prosperity of the State, which cannot be separated from the protection and defense of our good and faithful subjects, and the punishment of the guilty ".
It was therefore precisely the then sovereign who promulgated the Royal Patents in Turin the "Corps of Royal Carabinieri". A historic step because the role of this body was precisely to defend the state, protect public safety, but also a police body with special duties and prerogatives. And this is what the many Italian military personnel still continue to do.
From the nineteenth century to the present day, a leading role in defense of Italy
When Vittorio Emanuele I of Savoy promulgated the law it was the period of the Restoration, of rebirth for Italy, a prelude to a period that would have led to many battles and riots but would also have affirmed his own unit. An all-national military body therefore had a very important role for the State which was making its most important steps in those years. The carabinieri, therefore, was a light infantry corps (with a cavalry component). It was a military body made up of people selected in the excellence of the Piedmontese departments. So an elite body. As also reported by the official site of the Arma, their first general was Giuseppe Thaon di Revel, called to hold the highest office since August 13 of that year. And then in 1833 Carlo Alberto of Savoy wanted the adoption of the colors of the plume that we know scarlet and blue.
The success of the Carabinieri Corps is mainly due to its being at the service of the community. In fact, born in Piedmont, it was spread throughout the territory. This is how the weapon accompanied, with his own presence alert and reassuring, generations of Italians. Many roles and tasks from its birth to today: among the facts of the history of the Kingdom of Italy at the birth of the Republic. And today, in the roles he holds for the peace and security of the peninsula. There are many difficult and dramatic moments that have characterized Italy and in which the weapon has always been present.
The names and the words with which we know it
Many rewards to the Flag and the awards of many soldiers. "La Benemerita" is the nickname by which we all know it. As his well-known motto "In the faithful centuries". And then the ordinance march is inspired by his fidelity "The Faithful" like prayer to the Maria "Virgo Fidelis", to which Pope Pius XII, in 1949, chose to entrust the Carabinieri, setting the anniversary for 21 November.
Today, therefore, that anniversary is remembered for the weapon. But many also celebrated June 5, commonly known as the date of the foundation, because we remember the date of granting, in 1920, of the first Gold Medal for Military Valor to the Flag, for the participation of the Carabinieri in the First World War.
