Adopted for national usage from June 18th, 1946, this tricolor was, of course, influenced by the French tricolore and was brought to Italy by Napoleon during the Italian Campaign of 1796- at first the bands were horizontal but the vertical tricolor was introduced in 1798 but was only used until the fall of Napoleon in 1814- and was reintroduced when the new Kingdom of Italy was formed in 1861. After World War II, when the monarchy was ended the arms of the House of Savoy were removed and the present design of the flag was adopted.
To be honest, tricolors aren't my favorite flags. They're pretty boring but they've usually got a hefty amount of history behind them and the Italian flag is no exception, becoming a symbol for freedom and unity during the long struggle for Italian unification known as Il Risorgimento- led by amongst other people the famous Giuseppe Garibaldi. (The process of Italian reunification is an incredibly messy, complex story that even I don't know that much about. It's hard to believe that the idea of a united Italian State not even two hundred years old.)
So ciao bella, kids! And give it up for Italy! And until next week, keep your flags flying- FREAK or otherwise.
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