On 5 September 1946, in Paris, Karl Gruber (Austria) and Alcide De Gasperi (Italy) sign the Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement — the understanding guaranteeing equal rights and autonomy for the German-speaking population of South Tyrol (Bolzano province).

The document secures mother-tongue schooling, bilingual administration, the right to restore Italianised German family names and equal access to public office, plus autonomous regional legislative and executive power.

Italy undertakes to revise citizenship options from the Hitler–Mussolini agreements (1939), recognise diplomas and facilitate transit between North and East Tyrol.

The text became Annex IV of the Peace Treaty with Italy (10 February 1947) and the basis of later autonomy statutes.

For Alto Adige / Südtirol, 5 September 1946 marks the Paris Agreement signature.

The English text was circulated at the Peace Conference and is published in FRUS 1946.

The Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement of 5 September 1946 remains South Tyrol’s autonomy Magna Carta.

Image: South Tyrol; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement. Treaty text: FRUS 1946 — Austro-Italian Agreement on South Tyrol.