Citizendia

Malta has been inhabited from around 5200 BC, since the arrival of the Sicani tribe from the Italian island of Sicily. During the 6th millennium BC, Agriculture spreads from the Balkans to Italy and Eastern Europe and from Mesopotamia to Egypt. The Sicani ( Greek Sikanoi) or Sicanians were one of three ancient peoples of Sicily present at the time of Phoenician and Greek colonization Sicily ( Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Italy. [1] Later came the arrival of the Phoenicians and the Greeks who named the island Μελίτη (Melite) meaning "honey sweet". Phoenicia ( Phoenician: Phoenician nunsvg|12px|נ]]Phoenician nun The Greeks ( Greek: Έλληνες) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighbouring regions

Contents

Abbreviated Timeline

Further information: Timeline of Maltese history

Geology

Malta stands on an underwater ridge that extends from North Africa to Sicily. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The lira (lira maltija plural liri, ISO 4217 code: MTL) was the currency of Malta until December 31 2007 Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e Sicily ( Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Italy. At some time in the distant past Malta was submerged, as shown by marine fossils embedded in rock in the highest points of Malta. As the ridge was pushed up and the straits of Gibraltar closed through tectonic activity, the sea level was lower, and Malta was on a bridge of dry land that extended between the two continents, surrounded by large lakes. Gibraltar (dʒɨˈbrɒltər is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar The Messinian Salinity Crisis, also referred to as the Messinian Event, is a period when the Mediterranean Sea evaporated partly or completely dry during the Some caverns in Malta have revealed bones of elephants, hippopotami, and other large animals now found in Africa, while others have revealed animals native to Europe. Elephants ( family: Elephantidae) are large land Mammals of the order Proboscidea. The hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius) from the Greek ἱπποπόταμος ( hippopotamos, ιππος hippos meaning "horse"

Prehistory

Further information: Ġgantija
One of the so-called "fat ladies" of ancient Malta, unearthed at Tarxien.
One of the so-called "fat ladies" of ancient Malta, unearthed at Tarxien. Ġgantija ( Ggantia) is a Neolithic, Megalithic Temple complex on the Mediterranean Island of Gozo, which Tarxien ( English: Tarsien) is a small village found in the southern part of Malta
The Neolithic temple of Mnajdra
The Neolithic temple of Mnajdra

Man first arrived in Malta around 5200 BC. Mnajdra is a prehistoric Megalithic temple complex that lies on the southern coast of Malta and is approximately 500 metres from the Ħaġar Qim megalithic These first Neolithic people probably arrived from Sicily (about 100 kilometres/60 miles north), and were mainly farming and fishing communities, with some evidence of hunting activities. The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos They apparently lived in caves and open dwellings. During the centuries that followed there is evidence of further contacts with other cultures, which left their influence on the local communities, evidenced by their pottery designs and colours.

One of the most notable periods of Malta's history is the temple period, starting around 3600 BC. The Ggantia Prehistoric Temple in Gozo are the oldest free-standing buildings in the world (photo). Many of the temples are in the form of five semicircular rooms connected at the centre. It has been suggested that these might have represented the head, arms and legs of a deity, since one of the commonest kinds of statue found in these temples is a fat woman — a symbol of fertility. The Temple period lasted until about 2500 BC, at which point the civilization that raised these huge monoliths seems to have disappeared. There is much speculation about what might have happened and whether they were completely wiped out or assimilated.

After the Temple period came the Bronze Age. The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for From this period there remains of a number of settlements and villages, as well as dolmens — altar-like structures made out of very large slabs of stone. A dolmen (also known as cromlech, anta, Hünengrab, Hunebed, Goindol, quoit, and portal dolmen) is a type of One surviving menhir, which was used to build temples, still stands at Kirkop; it is one of the few still in good condition. A menhir is a large upright Standing stone. Menhirs may be found singly as Monoliths or as part of a group of similar stones Kirkop (Chircop is a small Village south of Malta. It is home of the STMicroelectronics plant whose production accounts for 60% of the exports in Malta Among the most interesting and mysterious remnants of this era are the so-called cart ruts as they can be seen at a place on Malta called Clapham Junction. Clapham Junction is a prehistoric site on Malta near the Dingli Cliffs. These are pairs of parallel channels cut into the surface of the rock, and extending for considerable distances, often in an exactly straight line. Their exact use is unknown. One suggestion is that beasts of burden used to pull carts along, and these channels would guide the carts and prevent the animals from straying.

Phoenicians and Greeks

The society that built these structures eventually died out or at any rate disappeared. Phoenicians from Tyre colonized the islands around 1000 BC, using them as an outpost from which they expanded sea explorations and trade in the Mediterranean. Phoenicia ( Phoenician: Phoenician nunsvg|12px|נ]]Phoenician nun Tyre ( Arabic صور Ṣūr, Phoenician Phoenician wawsvg|12px|ו]] Ṣur, Hebrew

In the late 8th century BC, a Greek colony called Melite (from the Doric Greek word for "honeybee") was founded on the main island. The 8th century BC started the first day of 800 BC and ended the last day of 701 BC. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Colonies in antiquity were City-states founded from a mother- City For the modern Doric dialect of Scotland see Doric dialect (Scotland Doric was a dialect of ancient Greek. This article refers collectively to all true honey bees for the "common" domesticated honey bee see European honey bee Honey bees

Carthage and Rome

The islands later came under the control of Carthage (400 BC) and then of Rome (218 BC). Carthage (Καρχηδών Karkhēdōn, Carthago from the Phoenician קרת חדשת phn-Latn Qart-ḥadašt meaning new town) refers Events By place Persian Empire Artaxerxes II King of Persia appoints Tissaphernes to take over all the districts in The Roman Republic was the phase of the ancient Roman civilization characterized by a Republican form of government a period which began with the overthrow of the Events By place Carthage A Carthaginian army under Hannibal attacks Rome's Spanish allies The islands prospered under Roman rule, during which time they were considered a Municipium and a Foederata Civitas. A municipium (pl municipia) belonged to the second highest class of Roman cities being In the history of the Roman empire, civitas (pl civitates mainly referred to the condition of Roman Citizenship It was also used to describe a type of settlement Many Roman antiquities still exist, testifying to the close link between the Maltese inhabitants and the people of Rome. In AD 60, the islands were visited by Saint Paul, who is said to have been shipwrecked on the shores of the aptly-named "Saint Paul's Bay". Paul the apostle (שאול התרסי Šaʾul HaTarsi, meaning " Saul of Tarsus " Σαούλ Saul and Σαῦλος Saulos and Saint Paul's Bay ( Maltese: San Pawl il-Baħar) is situated in the north east of the island of Malta, sixteen kilometres from the capital city Valletta Studies of the currents and prevalent winds at the time however, render it more likely that the shipwreck occurred in or around St. Thomas Bay in Marsaskala.

In 440 the island was captured by the Vandals, which had recently occupied the Roman province of Africa. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The Roman province of Africa was established after the Romans defeated Carthage in the Third Punic War. It was recovered by the east Roman general Belisarius in 533, along with the other Vandal possessions, and remained a part of the east Roman province of Sicily for the next 340 years. Flavius Belisarius (Βελισάριος (505(? – 565 was one of the greatest Generals of the Byzantine Empire and one of the most acclaimed generals in history Sicily ( Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Italy.

Arabization and the Maltese language

Malta was occupied by Sicilian Arabs in AD 870. Events By Place Europe Prague Castle is founded The Great Summer Army invades England and conquers The following 220 years of Arab rule was influential on the existing civilization. The Arabs introduced many new techniques in irrigation, some of which are still used, unchanged. Many placenames in Malta also date to this period. The city of Mdina, extensively modified in this period, also bears slight resemblance to towns found in the North of Africa. Mdina, Imdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, ( English: Notabile, or Medina) is the old capital of Malta

The Norman takeover of Malta isolated the Maltese dialect of Arabic from Islamic contact and mainstream Arabic, and Maltese evolved quickly into a distinct language. The Normans were the people who gave their names to Normandy, a region in northern France. Maltese (Maltese Malti is the National language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English, It is a Semitic language, derived from Arabic and later much influenced by Italian (Sicilian and Standard Italian), and to some degree also by English. The Semitic languages are a Language family whose living representatives are spoken by more than 467 million people across much of the Middle East, For many centuries, the Maltese language was only used in spoken form, and Italian was used for writing. Today the Maltese language, written in the Latin alphabet, is used as the standard language of Malta, alongside English, which remains an official language. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States

Middle ages

In 1091, count Roger I of Sicily, made an initial attempt to establish Norman rule of Malta. Roger I (1031 &ndash June 22, 1101) called Bosso and the Great Count, was the Norman Count of Sicily from 1071 to 1101 In 1127, his son Roger II of Sicily succeeded. Roger II ( 22 December 1095 &ndash 26 February 1154) was King of Sicily, son of Roger I of Sicily and successor to his This marked the gradual change from an Arab cultural influence to a European one. In 1191, Tancred of Sicily appointed Margaritus of Brindisi the first Count of Malta. Tancred (died February 20, 1194) was King of Sicily from 1189 to 1194 Margaritus of Brindisi (also Margarito; Italian Margaritone or Greek Megareites or Margaritoni: c Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands

Until the 13th century, however, there remained a strong Muslim segment of society. Malta was an appendage of Sicily for 440 years. During this period, Malta was sold and resold to various feudal lords and barons and was dominated successively by the rulers of Swabia, Angevin, Aragon, Castile, and Spain. Swabia, Suabia, or Svebia ( German: Schwaben, Schwabenland or Ländle) is both a historic and linguistic Angevin (ˈændʒəvɪn ( French, from Old French, from Medieval Latin Andegavinus from Andegavia Anjou, France) is the name applied The Kingdom of Aragon was an old kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula, corresponding to the modern-day autonomous community of Aragon ( The Crown of Castile, as a historic entity is usually considered to have begun in 1230 with the third and definitive union of the two kingdoms of León and Castile Eventually Aragon, who then ruled Malta, joined with Castile in 1479, and Malta became part of the Spanish Empire. The Spanish Empire (Imperio Español was one of the largest Empires in history and one of the first Global empires In the 15th and 16th centuries

Malta's administration thus fell in the hands of the local nobility, mostly of Sicilian and Spanish origins, who formed a governing body called the Università.

Re-enactment of 16th century military drills conducted by the Knights of St. John. Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta, Malta, May 8, 2005.
Re-enactment of 16th century military drills conducted by the Knights of St. John. Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta, Malta, May 8, 2005. Fort Saint Elmo is a Fortification in Valletta, Malta. It stands on the seaward shore of the Sciberras Peninsula that divides Marsamxett Harbour Valletta ( Belt Valletta or Città Umilissima) is the capital city of Malta. Events 589 - Reccared summons the Third Council of Toledo 1450 - Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Knights of St. John

Main article: Knights Hospitaller

In the early 16th century, the Ottoman Empire started spreading over the region, reaching South-East Europe. The Knights Hospitaller (also known as the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish The Spanish king Charles V feared that if Rome fell to the Turks, it would be the end of Christian Europe. Charles V (24 February 1500 &ndash 21 September 1558 was In 1522, Suleiman II drove the Knight Hospitallers of St. John out of Rhodes. They dispersed to their commanderies in Europe. Wanting to protect Rome from invasion from the South, in 1530, Charles V handed over the island to these Knights.

For the next 275 years, these famous "Knights of Malta" made the island their domain. They built towns, palaces, churches, gardens, and fortifications and embellished the island with numerous works of art and enhanced cultural heritage.

The order of the Knights of St. John was originally established to set up outposts along the route to the Holy Land, to assist pilgrims going in either direction. Owing to the many confrontations that took place, one of their main tasks was to provide medical assistance, and even today the eight-pointed cross is still in wide use in ambulances and first aid organisations. In return for the many lives they saved, the Order received many newly conquered territories that had to be defended. Together with the need to defend the pilgrims in their care, this gave rise to the strong military wing of the Knights. Over time, the Order became strong and rich. From hospitallers first and military second, these priorities reversed. Since much of the territory they covered was around the Mediterranean region, they became notable seamen.

The Great Siege

Main article: Siege of Malta (1565)

After several retreats and defeats, including the loss of their last stronghold in Rhodes (at Turkey's doorstep) the Order was offered the island of Malta. For the 1940-42 siege see " Siege of Malta (World War II " The Siege of Malta (also known as the Great Siege of Malta) took From here they resumed their seaborne attacks of Ottoman shipping, and before long the Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent ordered a final attack on the Order. Suleiman I (سليمان Sulaymān, Süleyman almost always Kanuni Sultan Süleyman) ( 6 November 1494 5/ 6 September 1566 By this time the Knights had occupied the city of Birgu, which had excellent harbours to house their fleet. Birgu ( Città Vittoriosa or Birgu) is a small city in Malta that played a vital role in the Siege of Malta in 1565. Also Birgu was one of the two major urban places at that time, the other most urban place being Mdina the old capital city of Malta. Mdina, Imdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, ( English: Notabile, or Medina) is the old capital of Malta The defences around Birgu were enhanced and new fortifications built on the other point where now there is Senglea. Senglea ( Città Invicta or Senglea) is a fortified City in the east of Malta, mainly in the Grand Harbour area Also a small fort was built at the tip of the peninsula where now stands the city of Valletta and was named Fort St. Valletta ( Belt Valletta or Città Umilissima) is the capital city of Malta. Elmo.

On May 18, 1565, Suleiman the Magnificent laid siege to Malta. Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. By the time the Ottoman fleet arrived the Knights were as ready as they could be. First the Ottomans attacked the newly built fort of St. Elmo and after a whole month of fighting the fort was in rubble and the soldiers kept fighting till the Turks ended their lives. After this they started attacking Birgu and the fortifications at Senglea but to no gain.

After a protracted siege ended on September 8 of the same year, which became known in history as "the Great Siege", the Ottoman Empire conceded defeat as the approaching winter storms threatened to prevent them from leaving. Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz For the 1940-42 siege see " Siege of Malta (World War II " The Siege of Malta (also known as the Great Siege of Malta) took The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish The Ottoman empire had expected an easy victory within weeks. They had 40,000 men arrayed against the Knights' nine thousand, most of them Maltese soldiers and simple citizens bearing arms. Their loss of thousands of men was very demoralising. The Ottomans made no further significant military advances in Europe and the Sultan died a few years later.

After the siege

The year after, the Order started work on a new city with fortifications like no other, on a peninsula called Gholja Sciberras which the Ottomans had used as a base during the siege. It was named Valletta after Jean Parisot de Valette, the Grand Master who had seen the Order through its victory. Valletta ( Belt Valletta or Città Umilissima) is the capital city of Malta. Since the Ottoman Empire never attacked again, the fortifications were never put to the test, and today remain one of the best-preserved fortifications of this period.

Unlike other rulers of the island, the Order of St. John did not have a "home country" outside the island. The island became their home, so they invested in it more heavily than any other power. Besides, its members came from noble families, and had amassed considerable fortune due to their services in the route to the Holy Land. The architectural and artistic remains of this period remain among the greatest of Malta's history, especially in their "prize jewel" — the city of Valletta.

However, as their main raison d'être had ceased to exist, the Order's glory days were over.

French conquest

Over the years, the power of the Knights declined; their reign ended when Napoleon Bonaparte's fleet arrived in 1798, en route to his expedition of Egypt. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Napoleon asked for safe harbor to resupply his ships, and when they refused to supply him with water, Napoleon Bonaparte sent a division to scale the hills of Valletta. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. Grand Master Hompesch capitulated, and Napoleon stayed in Malta for a few days during which he systematically looted the moveable assets of the Order and established an administration controlled by his nominees; however, Napoleon also established a liberal law system based on that of the French Revolution in place of the archaic and feudal system in place, and freed 2000 Muslim slaves kept on the island. Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim ( November 9, 1744 - May 12, 1805) was the 71st Grand Master of the Order of Saint John The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an [1] He then sailed for Egypt leaving a substantial garrison in Malta. Since the Order had also been growing unpopular with the local Maltese, the latter initially viewed the French with optimism. This illusion did not last long. Within months the French were closing convents and seizing church treasures. The Maltese people rebelled, and the French garrison of General Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois retreated into Valletta. Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois (1748 - 1839 was a French general After several failed attempts by the locals to retake Valletta, they asked the British for assistance. Rear Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson decided on a total blockade, and in 1800 the French garrison surrendered. Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson 1st Viscount Nelson 1st Duke of Bronté, KB (29 September 1758– 21 October 1805 was a British

British rule

In 1800, Malta voluntarily became part of the British Empire. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. Under the terms of the 1802 Treaty of Amiens, Britain was supposed to evacuate the island, but failed to keep this obligation - one of several mutual cases of non-adherence to the treaty, which eventually led to its collapse and the resumption of war between Britain and France. The Treaty of Amiens temporarily ended the hostilities between France and the United Kingdom during the French Revolutionary Wars.

Although initially the island was not given much importance, its excellent harbours became a prized asset for the British especially after the opening of the Suez canal. The Suez Canal is a Canal in Egypt. Opened in 1869 it allows Water transportation between Europe and Asia without circumnavigation The island became a military and naval fortress, the headquarters of the British Mediterranean fleet. Home rule was refused to the Maltese until 1921 although a partly elected legislative council was created as early as 1849, and the locals sometimes suffered considerable poverty. Home rule refers to a demand that constituent parts of a state be given greater self-government within the greater administrative purview of the central government {Attard P. 76}

This was due to the island being overpopulated and largely dependent on British military expenditure which varied with the demands of war. Throughout the 19th century, the British administration instituted several liberal constitutional reforms{Luke ChVIII} which were generally resisted by the Church and the Maltese elite who preferred to cling to their feudal privileges. {Attard P. 64:Luke P. 107}

In 1919, there were riots over the excessive price of bread. These would lead to greater autonomy for the locals. Malta obtained a bicameral parliament with a Senate (abolished in 1949) and an elected Legislative Assembly. In Government, bicameralism (bi + Latin la ''camera'' chamber is the practice of having two legislative or Parliamentary chambers Thus a bicameral The Parliament of Malta, the House of Representatives ( Il-Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti) currently has 69 members elected for a five year term The Constitution was often suspended, however, in order that good governance could continue despite interference in politics by the Church{Attard P. 128:Luke. P197} and the reluctance of the Italian-speaking elite to allow the Maltese speaking majority to freely use their own language. {LukeP. 111}

Language issue

Before the arrival of the British, the language of the educated elite had been Italian, but this was increasingly downgraded by the increased use of English. Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States In 1934, English and Maltese were declared the sole official languages. Maltese (Maltese Malti is the National language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,

The British associated Italian with the Mussolini regime in Italy, which had made territorial claims on the islands, although the use of Italian by nationalists was more out of cultural affinities with Italy than any sympathy with Italian Fascism. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Fascism is a totalitarian nationalist and corporatist ideology

In 1934, only about 15% of the population could speak Italian. {Luke P. 113} This meant that out of 58,000 males qualified by age to be jurors, only 767 could qualify by language, as only Italian had till then been used in the courts. {Luke P. 113} This injustice carried more weight than concerns over Fascism.

World War II

See also: Siege of Malta (1940)

Before World War II, Valletta was the location of the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet's headquarters. The Siege of Malta was a significant Military event in the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II that occurred between 1940 and 1943 on the island World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Mediterranean Fleet redirects here For the Mediterranean Fleets of other countries see Mediterranean Fleet (disambiguation. However, despite Winston Churchill's objections, the command was moved to Alexandria, Egypt, early in the war. Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC, PC (Can ( 30 November 1874 Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. [Elliot] At the time of the Italian declaration of war (June 10, 1940), Malta had a garrison of less than four thousand soldiers and about five weeks' of food supplies for the population of about three hundred thousand. Events 1190 - Third Crusade: Frederick I Barbarossa drowns in the Sally River while leading an army to Jerusalem Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In addition, Malta's air defences consisted of about forty-two anti-aircraft guns (thirty-four "heavy" and eight "light") and four Gloster Gladiators, for which three pilots were available. Anti-aircraft warfare, or air defense, is any method of engaging hostile military Aircraft in defence of ground objectives, ground or naval forces WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

Being a British colony, situated close to Sicily and the Axis shipping lanes, Malta was bombarded by the Italian and German air forces. The Axis powers also known as the Axis alliance Axis nations Axis countries or sometimes just the Axis were those Countries Malta was used by the British to launch attacks on the Italian navy and had a submarine base. It was also used as a listening post, reading German radio messages including Enigma traffic. The Enigma machine is any one of a family of related electro-mechanical Rotor machines used to generate Ciphers for the Encryption and decryption of

The first air raids against Malta occurred on 11 June 1940; there were six attacks that day. Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The island's biplanes were unable to defend due to the Luqa Airfield being unfinished; however, the airfield was ready by the seventh attack. A biplane is a Fixed-wing aircraft with two main Wings The first powered heavier-than-air Aircraft, the Wright brothers' Wright Flyer RAF Luqa was an airbase of the Royal Air Force on the island of Malta during World War II. Initially, the Italians would fly at about 5,500 m, then they dropped down to three thousand metres (in order to improve the accuracy of their bombs). Major Paine stated, "[After they dropped down], we bagged one or two every other day, so they started coming in at [six thousand metres]. Their bombing was never very accurate. As they flew higher it became quite indiscriminate. " Mabel Strickland would state, "The Italians decided they didn't like [the Gladiators and AA guns], so they dropped their bombs [thirty kilometres] off Malta and went back. Mabel Edeline Strickland ( January 8, 1899 – November 29, 1988) was a Maltese and English journalist and politician the daughter "

By the end of August, the Gladiators were reinforced by twelve Hawker Hurricanes which had arrived via HMS Argus. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout History Argus was laid down in 1914 by William Beardmore and Company in Glasgow as the Italian Ocean liner Conte Rosso During the first five months of combat, the island's aircraft destroyed or damaged about thirty-seven Italian aircraft. Italian fighter pilot Francisco Cavalera observed, "Malta was really a big problem for us—very well-defended. A fighter aircraft is a Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other Aircraft, as opposed to a Bomber, which is designed The Siege of Malta was a significant Military event in the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II that occurred between 1940 and 1943 on the island " On Malta, 330 people had been killed and 297 were seriously wounded. In January 1941, the German Fliegerkorps X arrived in Sicily as the Afrika Korps arrived in Libya. The German Afrikakorps ( German: Deutsches Afrikakorps DAK) was the original German blocking force (Sperrverband = Armored Blocking Force in Libya Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab

On 15 April 1942, King George VI awarded the George Cross (the highest civilian award for gallantry) "to the island fortress of Malta — its people and defenders. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The George Cross was awarded to the island of Malta by King George VI of the United Kingdom in a letter dated 15 April 1942 to the island's " President Franklin Roosevelt, describing the wartime period, called Malta "one tiny bright flame in the darkness. "

Attempted integration with the United Kingdom

After the war, the islands were given self-rule, with the Maltese Labour Party (MLP) of Dom Mintoff favouring closer integration with the United Kingdom, and the Nationalist Party (PN) of Dr. Dom Mintoff (born Dominic Mintoff, Maltese Duminku Mintoff; August 6, 1916) was the leader of the Malta Labour Party from 1949 History In its early years the party was divided between abstentionists and anti-abstentionists George Borg Olivier favouring further independence. Giorgio Borg Olivier (Ġorġ Borġ Olivier ( 5 July 1911 - 29 October 1980) was twice Prime Minister of Malta (1950 to 1955 and

In December 1955, a Round Table Conference was held in London, on the future of Malta, attended by Mintoff, Borg Olivier and other Maltese politicians, along with the British Colonial Secretary, Alan Lennox-Boyd. The Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary was the British Cabinet official in charge of managing the various British Colonies. Alan Tindal Lennox-Boyd 1st Viscount Boyd of Merton CH PC (18 November 1904 &ndash 8 March 1983 was a British Conservative Party politician The British government agreed to offer the islands their own representation in the British House of Commons, with the Home Office taking over responsibility for Maltese affairs from the Colonial Office. The House of Commons' is the Lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for security and order

Under the proposals, the Maltese Parliament would retain responsibility over all affairs except defence, foreign policy, and taxation. The Maltese were also to have social and economic parity with the UK, to be guaranteed by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), the islands' main source of employment. This received large support in a referendum on 14 February 1956, although a boycott by the PN and the Roman Catholic Church meant that the result was inconclusive. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Further disagreement with the MLP over finance led to the talks breaking down in 1958, with direct rule being imposed by London.

While France had implemented a similar policy in its colonies, some of which became overseas departments, the status offered to Malta from Britain constituted a unique exception. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Overseas department (départements d’outre-mer or DOM) is a designation under the 1946 Constitution of the Fourth Republic that was given to the Malta was the only British colony where integration with the UK was seriously considered, and subsequent British governments have ruled out integration for remaining overseas territories, such as Gibraltar. The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the Sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom Gibraltar (dʒɨˈbrɒltər is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar

Independence

It was soon clear that the locals now favoured independence, and on 21 September 1964, Malta became an independent state. Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. This is celebrated as Independence Day or Jum l-Indipendenza in Maltese. Maltese (Maltese Malti is the National language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English, Malta remained in the Commonwealth and recognised the Queen as head of state. The Maltese pound - renamed the Maltese lira (LM) - ended its link with the pound sterling. The lira (lira maltija plural liri, ISO 4217 code: MTL) was the currency of Malta until December 31 2007 The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency Dom Mintoff became Prime Minister again in 1971 and moved towards loosening ties with the United Kingdom and pursuing a non-aligned foreign policy, establishing close ties with Libya. Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Malta became a republic on December 13, 1974, with the last Governor-General, Sir Anthony Mamo, as its first President. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Sir Anthony Joseph Mamo, OBE, QC, ( 9 January 1909 &ndash 1 May 2008) was the first President of Malta The office of the President of Malta (President ta' Malta came into being on 13 December 1974, when Malta became a Commonwealth republic. In 1979 the last British forces left the island.

The controversial 1981 general election saw the PN gain an absolute majority vote, yet also the MLP win a majority of Parliamentary seats. Mintoff remained Prime Minister, and the PN , led by Eddie Fenech Adami, went through a tough campaign for a change in constitution to reflect democratic majority. Edward Fenech Adami (born February 7, 1934, Birkirkara) was the Prime Minister of Malta from 1987 until 1996 and from 1998 until 2004 Mintoff resigned from Prime Minister in 1984, when Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici took over the seat. Once again, the PN achieved majority for the 1987 general election, and due to constitutional changes effected in order to ensure the 1981 situation would not repeat itself, the PN took Government. The PN sought to improve Malta's ties with Western Europe and the United States. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

EU membership

The PN, fronted by its leader Fenech Adami, together with vice-leader Guido deMarco, advocated Malta's membership in the European Union (EU). The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in

This became a divisive issue, with Labour being opposed. Labour won the 1996 general election, and Labour's Alfred Sant, now Prime Minister, froze Malta's application for EU membership. However, in 1998 the Labour Government was forced to call early elections, after an internal land-lease controversy with former Labour PM and leader, Dom Mintoff. The PN won the 1998 election, and reactivated the application for EU membership. A referendum on EU membership in 2003 saw a majority of over 19,000 votes in favour of membership from 91% of those who had right to vote.

Labour stated that it would not be bound by the result were it returned to power in the forthcoming general election that year. However, the PN won absolute majority again, and Malta joined the EU in May 2004.

EuroZone

On 16 May 2007, the European Commission backed by the European Central Bank gave its green light for the introduction in January 2008. The EU finance ministers gave the green light on 10 July 2007. On 1st January 2008 Malta adopted the Euro as the national currency together with the Maltese Lira. On 1st February 2008, the Maltese Lira lost its legal tender.

Trivia

See also

External links


References

  1. ^ a b "Gozo", IslandofGozo. This is a timeline of Maltese history, listing the key dates and events from the history of the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo. The Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo have been ruled by various European monarchies since their liberation from Arab rule by Count Roger the Norman Operation Pedestal was a British operation to get desperately needed supplies to the island of Malta in August 1942 during the Second World War. The history of the Jews in Malta can be traced back to approximately 1500 BC. The Malta Summit consisted of a meeting between US President George H The culture of Malta is a reflection of various cultures that have come into contact with the Maltese Islands throughout the centuries including neighbouring Mediterranean org, 7 October 2007. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)  
  2. ^ Debattista, Martin; Timeline of Malta History; retrieved on [2008-05-14]
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