Malta's History

Malta (a Country 50 miles off the coast of Sicily, Italy) has been attacked and invaded by many Countries throughout its history.

Here are the different Countries that have occupied Malta:

The Phoenicians (1000 BC-480 BC), the Carthaginians (480 BC-218 BC), the Romans (218 BC- 454 AD), the Vandals (454 AD-464 AD), the Goths (464 AD-533 AD), the Byzantines (533 AD-870 AD), the Arabs (870 AD-909 AD), the Fatimids (909 AD-1091 AD), the Normans (1091 AD-1194 AD), the Swabians (1194 AD-1264 AD), the Angevins (1266 AD-1283 AD), the Aragonese Spanish (1283 AD-1530 AD), the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (1530 AD-1798 AD), the French (1798 AD-1800 AD) and the British (1800 AD-1964 AD.)

Here are the important Attacks on Malta:

The First Great Siege of Malta (May 18-September 8, 1565) the Ottoman Empire attacked Malta with 40,000 Troops, but the Crusaders won.

The Second Great Siege of Malta (June 11, 1940-November 20, 1942) the Nazi Germans and Italians bombed Malta during World War 2 as well as any Supply Allied Ships trying to reach the Islands to supply them with Weapons and Food.

There were 3,000 Air Raids on Malta in 2 years with 15,000  tons of bombs dropped on the Maltese Islands, (making Malta the most heavily bombed place during World War for its size and population.  

5,524 Private Dwellings were destroyed, 9,925 were damaged but repairable. 111 Churches, 50 Hospitals, Institutions or Colleges, 36 Theatres, Clubs, Government Offices, Banks, Factories, Flour Mills and other Commercial Buildings suffered destruction or damage, a total of 30,000 buildings in all.

1,300 Civilians were killed.

2,301 Allied Airmen were killed or wounded.

Important Dates in the British Crown Colony of Malta:

First Declaration of Rights issued in Malta including the right to freedom of conscience under the rule of law in 1808.

Malta was granted it’s First Constitution in 1835.

Malta was used as a Hospital Base by the British during World War 1 (1914-1918.)

The Constitution of 1921 is promulgated, and it grants Autonomy to Malta.

The Constitution of 1921 and Maltese Autonomy ends in 1930.

Maltese and English are made the Official Languages of British Malta in 1934 ending 800 years of the use of Italian.

Malta suffered extreme Bombings by Germany and Italy during World War 2 (1939-1945.)

The Royal Opera House, Valletta, is destroyed by Luftwaffe Bombers in April 1942.

A 440 lbs. Bomb dropped by the Germans pierces the Dome of the Rotunda of Sta. Marija Assunta in Mosta, but skids across the floor without exploding; two other bombs bounce off the roof and fail to explode; 300 People were hearing Mass inside the Church at the time in April 1942.

The George Cross is awarded to Malta by King George VI, so as to "bear witness to the heroism and devotion of its People in April 1942.

With the People of Malta near starvation after two years of virtually constant Bombardment, Operation Pedestal brings the "Santa Marija Convoy" to Malta, saving the Islands from a planned surrender to the Axis Powers in August 1942.

The Malta Conference of 1945 President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States and Prime Minister Winston Churchill of the United Kingdom meet on Malta to plan the final campaign against the Germans with the combined Chiefs of Staff, and to prepare for the Yalta Conference.

Restoration of Self-Government on Malta in 1947.

Maltese Women have been allowed to vote since 1947.

The United Kingdom imposes Direct Colonial Rule over Malta in 1958.

Since Independence

Malta Became an Independent Constitutional Monarchy in 1964 with Queen Elizabeth II as the Queen of Malta.

It made Maltese and English it’s Official Languages.

In 1964 Malta joined the United Nations.

Malta adopts the Maltese Pound (called the Lira) in 1972.

Malta decriminalizes Homosexuality in 1973.

In 1974 Malta became a Republic and replaced the Monarchy with a President while remaining part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The last British Troops leave Malta in 1979 (called Freedom Day) after being on the island for 179 years.

Malta ends the Death Penalty in 2000.

Malta joined the European Union in 2004.

Malta joined the Schengen Area in 2007.

Malta adopted the Euro in 2008.

Malta makes Divorce legal in 2011.

Malta made Gay Marriage legal in 2017.

Today, Malta is a major Tourist Destination.