Independence Day (Malta)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the national holiday. For the day Malta gained its independence from the United Kingdom, see Malta § Independence_and_Republic.
Independence Day
21 September
Next time21 September 2024 (2024-09)
Frequencyannual
Related toRepublic Day and Freedom Day

Independence Day (

Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Swabians, Aragonese, Hospitallers, French, and British”.[2] Malta's final ruler, Britain, granted Malta self-governance after Malta's brave resistance to the Axis powers and loyalty to Britain during World War II, which did allow for the movement for independence to grow more in popularity.[3] Malta attained independence from the British Empire and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1964 and declared itself a republic a decade later,[4] known as Republic Day
.

Background

See also: History of Malta
Independence Monument representing Malta liberating herself from shackles of the past while holding onto the national flag

Malta has been an area of interest, for its strategic location in the

British Gibraltar and the newly opened Suez Canal. The island would then be built up as a fortress and made into the home the British Mediterranean fleet.[7]

A century later would have the Second World War occur. Being the home of the British fleet in the Mediterranean, the Axis powers would try repeatedly to either destroy or control the island. This devastated Malta, but the island never gave in. Their stern resistance against the Nazis and Fascist Italians was rewarded by the British, who both gave the people of Malta the George Cross[8] and promised to give the Maltese people independence. A small amount of local rule was given in 1947, though it wasn't until 21 September 1964 that full independence came. Malta became a republic a decade later and British forces finally left the country after the defence treaty expired on 31 March 1979, which is celebrated as “Freedom Day”.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ British Parliament. "Malta Independence Act" (PDF). Legislative.gov.uk, National British Government. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  2. ^ "Malta". Briticannica. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  3. ^ "Independence Day in Malta". Office Holidays. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  4. ^ "Enjoy the Celebrations of Republic Day in Malta!". Air Malta. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  5. ^ "Knights of St. John". Visit Malta. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "French Occupation". Visit Malta. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  7. ^ "Independence Day 2018 and 2019". Public Holidays. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  8. ^ "British Period". Visit Malta. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  9. ^ "Freedom Day in 2018". Office Holidays. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
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