Since its first edition in 1993, every 28th of April Cagliari celebrates the so-called "Sa Die de Sa Sardigna (Sardinia Day), better known as the Sardinian population's festival.
It recalls a historical event the 28th of April 1794 when the population's insurrection ended with Viceroy Balbiano's expulsion and the island's release from the Piedmont domination.
The reasons for the uprising were both political and economical.  First of all was Sardinia's involvement in the Piedmont's war engaged against revolutionary France.  In 1793, the French fleet made an attempt to conquer the island landing at Carloforte.  But the Sardinian population held out, defending their own country and the Savoy Kingdom.
For its resistance and loyalty, Sardinia expected a reward from the Savoy crown.  In particular it asked for some military and civil offices and for more autonomy in its local government.  The Savoy refused thus causing the population to break out in insurrection.
In 1974, the Viceroy arrested two of the patriotic party's leaders, Vincenzo Cabras and Efisio Pintor.  The population's fury culminated with the expulsion of Viceroy Balbiano from the island and with the Piedmont's forced embarkation.  Driven by Cagliari's insurrection, Alghero and Sassari did the same.
The festival integrally recreates these events, proposing an extremely interesting drama both from a historical point of view well as a tourist's point of view.  The two leaders' arrest is re-enacted in the S.Remy bastion, with all of the characters wearing wigs and eighteenth-century costumes.  Other scenes representing the Savoy's banishment take place throughout the entire day.
"Sa Die" ends late in the evening with concerts and other folkloric musical shows.
Recently, the festival has been enlarged and lasts for a few days.  In the latest editions, shows and celebrations also take place in other municipalities including Sanluri, Nacao, Barisardo and Tempio Pausania.