Rome Celebrates 2,778th Birthday with Festivities

April 21 marks the traditional founding date of Rome, an event celebrated for its enduring influence on Western civilization and particularly on American political philosophy, as the Founders looked to Rome's republican ideals when shaping the United States. Referred to as the 'eternal city,' Rome has survived through pagan and Christian eras, with its legacy evident in both its ancient myths and its transformation into the center of the Catholic faith. Despite the fall of its empire in the fifth century and periods of decline, Rome's cultural and spiritual significance persists, symbolized by its monuments and the Christian institutions that supplanted its pagan past. Pilgrims continue to visit the city, drawn by its historical majesty and religious heritage, which now intertwines Roman traditions with Catholicism. The city's resilience and ongoing prominence are frequently attributed to both providence and the enduring power of its foundational myths.