Malta has a rich history, dating back to roughly 5900 BC when it was originally settled. Farmers were the initial settlers, and their agricultural practices eroded the soil to the point where the islands became uninhabitable. Around 3850 BC, the islands were repopulated by a civilization that created the Megalithic Temples, which are among the world’s oldest surviving structures. Their society fell apart approximately 2350 BC, but Bronze Age soldiers repopulated the islands soon after.
Prehistory of Malta
Earlier history of Malta comes to an end around 700 BC, when the Phoenicians colonized the islands. They governed the islands until 218 BC, when they were conquered by the Roman Republic. The island was taken over by the Eastern Romans or Byzantines in the sixth century AD, but they were driven by the Aghlabids after a siege in 870 AD. Malta may have been sparsely populated for several centuries before Arabs repopulated it in the 11th century. The Norman County of Sicily attacked the islands in 1091, and the islands were gradually Christianized after that. The islands formed part of the Kingdom of Sicily at this time, and subsequent feudal rulers, including the Swabians, Aragonese, and eventually the Spanish, ruled over them.
Early years
In 1530, the Order of St. John received the islands and administered them as a vassal state of Sicily. The Ottoman Empire attempted to conquer the islands in the Great Siege history of Malta in 1565, but were defeated. The Order ruled Malta for over two centuries, during which time there was a flourishing of the arts and architecture, as well as a general improvement in society. After the French First Republic invaded the islands in 1798, the Order was expelled, marking the start of the French occupation of Malta.
French Occupation
The Maltese revolted after a few months of French administration, and the French were evacuated in 1800 with the help of the British, Neapolitans, and Portuguese. Malta became a British protectorate after that, and a de facto colony in 1813. The Treaty of Paris, signed a year later, confirmed this. The islands were a vital naval station for the British, acting as the Mediterranean Fleet’s headquarters. Malta was invaded by the Axis forces as a result of this during World War II, and the island was awarded the George Cross in 1942, which can still be seen on Malta’s flag and coat of arms. From 1921 to 1933, 1947 to 1958, and 1962 to 1964, the Crown Colony of Malta was self-governing.
Independent Malta
The State of Malta was established on September 21, 1964, as an independent constitutional monarchy with Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta and Head of State, following the passage of the Malta Independence Act 1964 by the British Parliament and the approval of a new Maltese constitution by 54.5 percent of voters in a referendum. Independence Day (Maltese: Jum l-Indipendenza), a national holiday in Malta, is commemorated every year on this date. In history of Malta was admitted to the United Nations on December 1, 1964. The Nationalist Party emerged as the largest party in the first two post-independence electoral cycles, in 1962 and 1966, winning a majority of Parliamentary seats. Relationships with Italy were critical during these years in order to secure independence and create ties with continental Europe. During Aldo Moro’s visit to Malta in 1967, Malta signed four cooperation agreements with Italy.
Malta became a member of the Council of Europe in 1965 and signed an Association Treaty with the European Economic Community in 1970. George Vella was elected as the 10th President of the Republic of Malta in April 2019, succeeding Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.
