1. The Italian National Anthem "Inno di Mameli" Michelle Ehrmann

2. History The lyrics to the National Anthem of Italy were written as a poem in Genoa by Goffredo Mameli in 1847 Michele Novaro set the lyrics to music in Turin two months later. It became the Italian National Anthem, or il Canto degli Italiani, when Italy became a republic in 1946. It was not officially declared the national anthem by law until November 2005.

3. Goffredo Mameli Had a degree in law from the University of Genoa Became enthusiastic about the republican ideals of Giuseppe Mazzini In March 1848, he fought against the Austrians in Lombardy In December 1848 he went to Rome, where he helped establish the Roman Republic Mameli died from a wound suffered fighting for the Roman

4. 1. The helmet of Marcus Scipio in the novel Hannibals children. 2. A possible reference to the ancient custom of slaves cutting their hair short as a sign of servitude Linno di Fratelli d'Italia, L'Italia s'è desta; Dell'elmo di Scipio 1 S'è cinta la testa. Dov'è la Vittoria? Le porga la chioma; 2 Ché schiava di Roma Iddio la creò. Stringiamci a coorte! Siam pronti alla morte; Italia chiamò. Mameli Brothers of Italy, Italy has awakened; Scipio's helmet 1 she has put on her head. Where is the Victory? Offer her the hair; 2 because slave of Rome God created her. Let us unite! We are ready to die; Italy called.

5. Noi siamo da secoli Calpesti, derisi, Perché non siam popolo, Perché siam divisi. Raccolgaci un'unica Bandiera, una speme; Di fonderci insieme Già l'ora suonò. Stringiamci a coorte! Siam pronti alla morte; Italia chiamò. We have been for centuries stamped on, and laughed at, because we are not one people, because we are divided. Let's unite under one flag, one dream; To melt together Already the time has come. Let us unite! We are ready to die; Italy called.

6. Uniamoci, amiamoci; L'unione e l'amore Rivelano ai popoli Le vie del Signore. Giuriamo far libero Il suolo natio: Uniti, per Dio, Chi vincer ci può? Stringiamci a coorte! Siam pronti alla morte; Italia chiamò. Let's unite, let's love; The union and the love Reveal to the people God's ways. We swear to liberate the native soil: United, for God, Who can beat us? Let us unite! We are ready to die; Italy called.

7. 3. Legnano is the site of a famous battle in 1176 where various Italian comunities fought against Emperor Federico Barbarossa for their freedom 4. Ferruccio was a captain who valliantly defended Florence from the troops of Charles V in 1530. 5. Balilla was a nickname for Giambattista Perasso who was a child from Genova that fought in the 1746 people's revolution of Genova against the Austrians. Dall'Alpe a Sicilia, Dovunque è Legnano 3 ; Ogn'uom di Ferruccio 4 Ha il core e la mano; I bimbi d'Italia Si chiaman Balilla 5 ; Il suon d'ogni squilla I Vespri suonò. Stringiamci a coorte! Siam pronti alla morte; Italia chiamò. From the Alps to Sicily, Everywhere is Legnano 3 ; Every man of Ferruccio 4 has the heart and the hand; the children of Italy are called Balilla 5 ; The sound of every church bell calling for evening prayers. Let us unite! We are ready to die; Italy called.

8. 6. "Sold swords" - referring to Italian mercanaries bought by the French to fight against the Italian Republicans. 7. Polish blood" - referring to the Austrians who jointly with Russia invaded and destroyed Poland. 8. A group of predominantly East Slavic people who originally were members of military communities in Ukraine and Southern Russia. Son giunchi che piegano Le spade vendute 6 ; Già l'Aquila d'Austria Le penne ha perdute. Il sangue d'Italia E il sangue Polacco 7 Bevé col Cosacco 8, Ma il cor le bruciò. Stringiamci a coorte! Siam pronti alle morte; Italia chiamò They are branches that bend the sold swords 6 ; Already the eagle of Austria has lost its feathers. the blood of Italy and the Polish blood 7 Drank with Cossacks 8 But its heart was burnt. Let us unite! We are ready to die; Italy called.

9. Bibliography "The Italian National Anthem." www.RomanLife-RomeItaly.com. Marcus Ruhl, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011.. Sarti, Roland. "Mameli, Goffredo." Italy: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present, European Nations. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2004. Modern World History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE53&iPin=ITA0492&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 24, 2011). "Goffredo Mameli." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2011..