Italian orders of merit

There are currently five Italian orders of merit ( _it. Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana) that recognise contributions to the Italian Republic.

Order of Merit of the Republic ("Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana")

The "Ordine al Merito della Repubblica" is awarded in five ranks for contributions in the fields of literature, the economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities. The five ranks with ribbons are as follows, with number of decorations awarded through December 2006:

: : "Cavaliere di Gran Croce Decorato di Gran Cordone Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana": 1st Class / Knight of the Grand Cross: "Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" (8,362) : 2nd Class / Grand Official: "Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" (4,975): 3rd Class / Commander: "Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" (13,973): 4th Class / Official: "Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" (21,478): 5th Class / Knight: "Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" (85,863)

Military Order of Italy ("Ordine Militare d'Italia")

"Main article: Military Order of Italy"

The "Ordine Militare d'Italia" recognizes the distinguished conduct in war by units of the armed forces or by an individual. The lowest of the five ranks of the order, Knight, may also be awarded for peacetime activities.

Order of Merit for Labour ("Ordine al Merito del Lavoro")

: The "Ordine al Merito del Lavoro" is awarded to recognize achievement in agriculture commerce and industry, in the single rank of Knight.

tar of Italian Solidarity ("Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana")

The "Stella della Solidarietà Italiana" was originally instituted in 1947 to recognize the achievements of those Italians and foreigners who had played a distinguished role in the reconstruction of Italy after World War II. There are three ranks:

: (1st Class / Grand Official) "Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine della Stella della solidarietà italiana" (643): (2nd Class / Commander) "Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella della solidarietà italiana" (3,415): (3rd Class / Knight) "Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella della solidarietà italiana" (6,507)

Order of Vittorio Veneto ("Ordine di Vittorio Veneto")

: and who had achieved the cross to the Merit of War.

References

* [http://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/onorificenze.asp Presidenza della Repubblica - Onorificenze]

ee also

*Italian honorifics
*State decoration
*Military decoration