The British period in Malta spanned from 1800 to 1964, during which Malta was a British colony. Here are the key points and events during this period:
A Timeline of Maltese History
The English have saved the Maltesers from the French occupation in September 1800, when the Maltese people were fed up with the French brutal treatment. While the Maltese will forever be grateful for their help, the English have also benefited from Malta and its location.
The Rock’s practical location was crucial especially after the Suez Canal grand opening. Malta has become a naval fortress for the British Military.
During the British Rule, a lot of milestones were achieved; such as:
- 1883- The Maltese Railway Operation
- 1885- the Introduction of the Maltese Postal Stamps
- 1905- The Operation of the Tram Service
- 1912- Dun Karm Psaila wrote his first poem in Maltese
Malta played a very pivotal role during World War I (between 1915 - 1918), especially in the medicine sector. The Sacra Infermeria, the one established by the Order of St. John was ideally located next to the Grand Harbour and therefore it was reachable for the sick and wounded soldiers.
Once again, the Maltesers, especially the church and the elite were not particularly happy with the British Rule. After WWI, the Colonial Government (as in the Brits), had failed to provide for the Maltesers. This had brought a lot of tension, causing plenty of riots. On the 7th of June 1919, the Maltese had enough and they instigated one of the major riots on the Island. Four islanders died when the British soldiers fired the guns in the crowd.
In 1921, the Maltese people had gained the local government under the British Rule. In 1923, the first Maltese Prime Minister was elected Francisco Buhagiar and in the same year, the Innu Malti (the Maltese Anthem) was played in public.
The Sette Giugno (7th of June) is one of the four national days of the Island with its first official remembrance day in 1989.
The Relationship between Malta and the Royals
- From 1964-1974, Elizabeth II was the Queen of Malta
- According to Express Journal, the Queen’s favorite place to visit is Malta
- The Queen lived in Malta for 2 years shortly after marrying Prince Philip
- Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex has also a connection with Malta as her great great grandmother Mary was born on the island in 1862
- According to the article of 89.7 Bay, Meghan was quoted saying “This Morning, for breakfast, I tried the Pastizzi with peas and ricotta. Oh my goodness they’re delicious”
More About the British Period
