Venice. A ship from Trieste brings news of the Viennese uprising. A crowd immediately gathers beneath Governor Palffy’s palace, demanding reforms and concessions. Palffy relents and signs the release of two figures who had called for reforms: the young lawyer Daniele Manin and Niccolo’ Tommaseo (who would later author the Dizionario della Lingua Italiana). The two are carried in triumph across St. Mark’s Square. Manin is the charismatic leader of the revolt, blindly followed by his followers. The Republic of San Marco is born; its flag is the Italian tricolor and the lion of St. Mark set in the green stripe.
