​On 4^th May 1861, the Minister of War Manfredo Fanti proclaimed the end of the Sardinian Army and the birth of the Italian Army.

​“In view of the law on 17^th March 1861 that established S.M. as King of Italy, I announced to all Authorities, Corps and military Offices that the Royal Army will be called from now on Italian Army, remained abolished the old denomination of Sardinian Army”.

Signed
Manfredo Fanti,
Minister of War.

But the origins of our Army are more ancient and deeper, including those of the pre-unitary States that contributed to its creation. We can remember for example the 18^th​ April 1659 when the Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoia, who wanted practiced soldiers and ready to be employed in their Sardinian-Piedmontese royal army, he published an announcement for the recruitment of 1​200 soldiers to be set in a regiment called “of the Guards”. This event marked the passage from fortune militias to permanent units, organisms of the State. The Regiment “of the Guards” was the first permanent department in Europe, precursor of the current Army of professionals.