1861 Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy

The 1861 Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy marked Italy's formal unification under a single government, transitioning from multiple independent states and kingdoms. Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia was declared the first king, symbolizing the political and national unity of Italy. This proclamation was the culmination of a series of political and military efforts known as the Risorgimento, which aimed to consolidate Italian territories into one nation. It established Italy as a constitutional monarchy and laid the foundation for its future development as a unified state.