The Maltese flag, simple in design but rich in history, tells the story of a small yet resilient island nation. It has evolved alongside the country’s journey to independence. Today, it stands as a symbol of national pride, sovereignty, and historical endurance, but this was not always the case. The flag has undergone many transformations...
The journey of the women’s right to vote start from their contributions in WW1. Maltese women indirectly contributed to winning World War I by taking care of up to 80,000 soldiers and prisoners of war while food was running out and death rates were going up. After World War I, the Sette Giugno riots in...
The Knights Hospitaller’s departure from the island of Rhodes stands as a significant moment in geopolitical and religious history. Rhodes, a jewel controlled by the Knights since 1309, held a position of profound strategic significance. Located southeast of Greece, it was a maritime crossroads, a potential springboard for Christian naval operations Ottoman might. The Knights of St....
On October 26, 1995, a shocking event unfolded on the bustling streets of Sliema, Malta, catapulting the small island nation into the international spotlight. Libyan businessman Ibrahim Ali Al Shawesh was mercilessly gunned down outside The Diplomat hotel. What appeared to be a simple, albeit brutal, case of assassination, swiftly unraveled into a complex web...
Yesterday we celebrated Malta’s 59th birthday as an independent nation. Or is our nation older than that? There is a case that could be made that independent Malta is actually 223 years old. Today we explore a remarkable chapter in our history. A story of a tiny island that dared to defy a mighty empire....
Diving deep into Malta’s rich tapestry of history, one cannot help but be enthralled by tales of valiant knights and iconic figures such as Toni Bajada, renowned for his masterful espionage during the Great Siege of 1565. These tales, as gripping as they are, sometimes eclipse the narratives of numerous unsung heroes, particularly the roles...
The story of the Gozo Channel linking Malta and Gozo is a testament to the enduring connectivity between these two Mediterranean islands. Spanning centuries, the history of this service is marked by evolution, challenges, and a commitment to facilitating travel and trade. 1241: Early Beginnings From the 13th century, the waters between Malta and Gozo...
In the annals of World War II, the Santa Marija Convoy – or Operation Pedestal for the enthusiasts – shines as a beacon of Malta’s resilience. Yet, before this famed mission, several other convoys wrote their own tales of courage in the Mediterranean waters. The Mediterranean became a hotbed of conflict during WWII, with Malta,...
Understanding the impact of protectionism on a nation’s economic landscape is key to global economics. This was palpably evident in 1970s Malta under the leadership of Dom Mintoff. As a strategic embodiment of protectionism, the Maltese government introduced dramatic measures to bolster local industries, reducing foreign goods dependency. Among these measures, the most contentious was...
What were the reasons behind the Interdett and the “war” between the Church and the Labour Party? A war that shed no blood but left everlasting wounds, the interdiction (l-interdett) has left a lasting mark on Malta. It’s 1961. The Catholic Church is led by Pope John XXIII, known as ‘The Good Pope’ and eventually...