Malta Celebrating Independence Day
September 21
Malta celebrates Independence Day as a public holiday.
Malta celebrates 21 September as Independence Day
to commemorate it freedom from Britain in 1964.
History of Malta Independence Day
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V granted Malta to a military religious order called the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem in 1530. Malta was a base of operations for the knights against the Ottoman Turks. The knights developed Malta as a center of commerce and it ruled the islands until the 19th century.
http://www.knightofmalta1.org/
In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte led an expeditionary force to Egypt in order to expel the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, later known as the Knights of Malta. However, French rule was so disliked that the Maltese revolted in the same year. The Maltese made a plea for help from Britain, so in 1799 the British navy under Horatio Nelson lay siege on Valletta and caused the French to later withdraw. Malta became a colony of the British Empire in 1814 by the terms stated in the Treaty of Paris.
During the 19th century, the Maltese gradually demanded more self-governance. The British were amenable to Malta’s self-governance but only to a certain degree as Britain was set retain its control over its national interests. The progress towards constitutional reform was painfully slow.
An autonomous self-governing Malta was re-instituted in 1947. The constitution was deferred in 1959 because of dissension between the Malta Labour Party (MLP) and the Nationalist Party (PN). In 1961, a new constitution was introduced.
On September 21, 1964 Malta became independent. It became a United Nations (UN) member on December 1. Even after Malta declared its independence, British and Maltese governments signed a ten-year agreement on mutual defense.
Malta Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
Independence Day is a public holiday with a military parade in Valletta and music concerts. The highlight of the day is a Pontifical Mass and a performance of the National Orchestra of Malta.
In Floriana, wreaths are also laid at the Independence Monument.
