The Carabinieri, the national gendarmerie of Italy, is established.

Here’s a four-paragraph overview of the history of the Carabinieri.

The Carabinieri was established on July 13, 1814, by King Victor Emmanuel I of the Kingdom of Sardinia following the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. Created as the “Corps of Royal Carabinieri,” the force was intended to maintain public order, enforce the law, and serve as an elite military unit loyal to the crown. Modeled in part on the French Gendarmerie, the Carabinieri combined civilian policing responsibilities with military discipline, making it one of the earliest modern gendarmerie forces in Europe. Its members quickly earned a reputation for professionalism, courage, and strict adherence to duty.

During the 19th century, the Carabinieri played a significant role in the movement for Italian unification, known as the Risorgimento. As the Kingdom of Sardinia expanded and eventually became the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the Carabinieri extended their presence across the newly unified nation. They helped establish central government authority in regions that had previously been divided among different states and kingdoms. In addition to maintaining law and order, they worked to combat banditry, suppress civil unrest, and enforce national laws in rural and urban communities alike, becoming one of Italy’s most recognizable public institutions.

The Carabinieri continued to serve prominently during both World Wars. In the First World War, they acted as military police, front-line soldiers, and security personnel behind the lines. During the Second World War, their history became more complex. While the force initially served under Benito Mussolini’s Fascist regime, many Carabinieri later resisted German occupation after Italy’s 1943 armistice with the Allies. Thousands were arrested, deported, or killed for refusing to cooperate with Nazi forces, while others joined the Italian Resistance. Their actions during this period contributed significantly to the force’s post-war reputation for loyalty to the Italian state rather than to any particular political regime.

Following the war, the Carabinieri became an essential institution of the Italian Republic, carrying out a broad range of policing and national security duties. In 2000, the organization was elevated to become one of Italy’s four armed services, recognizing both its military and civilian law enforcement functions. Today, the Carabinieri are responsible for everyday policing, organized crime investigations, counterterrorism, cultural heritage protection, environmental enforcement, and international peacekeeping missions. With more than two centuries of continuous service, the force remains a symbol of stability, public service, and national identity throughout Italy.