National Dante Day for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Saturday, March 25th. There are until the next observance.

On March 25, National Dante Day, or Dantedi as the Italians name it, commemorates the life and works of the great Italian writer Dante Alighieri. Alighieri’s masterwork, “The Divine Comedy,” described his voyage through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.

📆 When is National Dante Day?

This year, National Dante Day is on March 25th. It is the 4th Saturday in March; in 2024, it is on Monday.

Countdown to National Dante Day

Did you know: Alighieri called his work “Commedia,” which means “fun,” to show that it had a happy ending, while Boccaccio called it “Divina,” which means “divine.”

You can also see all exciting things you didn’t know about and facts about March 25, 2023.

📜 History of National Dante Day

Alighieri created one of the most important poems of the Middle Ages, as well as the single greatest literary masterpiece written in the Italian language. He is one of the “tre corone,” or “three crowns,” of Italian literature. The other two are Petrarch and Boccaccio.

Alighieri’s influence on Italian culture was not limited to poetry. His work was crucial in developing the contemporary standardized Italian language. He is often regarded as the “Father of the Italian Language.” He wrote in colloquial Italian during a period when most poetry was written in Latin, which only educated readers could understand. His work paved the way for other Italian writers to follow.

In March 1302, Alighieri was sentenced to two years in exile and had to pay a heavy fine for his association with the White Guelphs during a period when the Black Guelphs had taken over the government. He was also charged with corruption and financial mismanagement. Alighieri refused to pay the fine because he did not feel he was guilty, and the Black Guelphs confiscated his properties in Florence. This meant that he had to leave Florence forever, and if he didn’t pay the fine, he would be burned at the stake.

During his exile, Alighieri wrote the Divine Comedy, as well as the majority of his other works. He spent his final days at Ravenna, where he had been asked to remain by the city’s prince.

The city of Florence started to feel bad about sending Alighieri away. They asked several times for his body to be brought back, but their requests were turned down.

☑️ National Dante Day facts

A most amazing muse
Despite being married to another woman, Alighieri celebrates and confesses his love for a woman named Beatrice, whom he met when he was 12 and who died when he was 25.

His son was a poet too
Jacopo Alighieri, one of Alighieri’s three children, followed in his father’s footsteps and became a poet.

He was a pharmacist
Alighieri became a member of the Physicians’ and Apothecaries’ Guild, most likely because political activity in Italy at the time required membership in a commercial or craft guild.

Things to do on National Dante Day

Read Dante
There is no better way to commemorate the occasion than by reading some of Alighieri’s most renowned writings. If you’ve never read his writing, prepare to be immersed in a realm of gorgeous holiness. If you’re a die-hard admirer who has read all of Alighieri’s books, now is the time to re-read them and marvel at his writing. You may take things a step further by reading the books in their original Italian.

Visit his tomb
You may commemorate National Dante Day by paying your respects to this great poet at his burial place in Ravenna. There are also other attractions to see, such as the golden iron Greek Cross, blessed by Pope Francis and gifted by Pope Paul VI. Even though Alighieri’s body is not there, his hometown of Florence builds a tomb for him even though his body is not there.

Recite the opening and closing lines of the “Inferno”
On National Dante Day, the Italians have begun a custom of reciting the “Inferno.” On March 25, at 6 p.m., you may join millions of Alighieri admirers worldwide by gathering on your balcony and reciting the opening and closing words of one of his most renowned works.

📅 National Dante Day Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2024 March 25 Monday
2025 March 25 Tuesday
2026 March 25 Wednesday
2027 March 25 Thursday
2028 March 25 Saturday

See all March holidays, including Special Interest and other Appreciation holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about National Dante Day. So be sure to check back soon.