Freedom Day

Freedom Day (MLT) History

Malta Freedom Day celebrates the end of the Defence Treaty and the withdrawal of British troops and the Royal Navy from Malta on 31 March 1979. In 1964, Malta gained independence and subsequently became a Republic in 1974. It would however take another 5 years for the British to completely withdraw from the islands and close its naval base.

Malta Freedom Day is celebrated on 31 March annually as a day of great national pride. Freedom Day marks the first time in centuries that Malta was free to rule itself without any kind of foreign influence

Top facts about Freedom Day

• Malta gained its independence by drastically raising the price of rent for the British to park their ships. Britain’s decision to pull out of Malta was eventually made by the royal family based largely on the fact that the cost of rent was too high.
• Malta is the smallest economy in the European Union. The nation only produces some 20% of the food it requires annually and it has little access to fresh water sources.
• Maltese took power in 1971 but allowed the British to continue using the island as a naval base for a rent fee of $36.2 million.
• The Defence Treaty began in 1964 when the Maltese and the British agreed on mutual defence and assistance and allowed the British to maintain a military base on the islands.
• Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement. – Nelson Mandela

In the News and Trending for Freedom Day

Top events and things to do for Freedom Day

• Attend the military parade in Vittoriosa. It is one of the largest displays put on during Malta Freedom Day. There is a full band, a wreath laying ceremony and several Maltese flags flying throughout. It is a beautiful display of national pride.
• Visit the Freedom Monument in Vittoriosa for the official memorial ceremony in which Maltese leaders lay wreaths on the monument to mark the end of British rule.
• Watch a movie about Malta. Some of our favourites are: Malta Story (1953), 48 Hours in Malta (2013), and Passfire (2016).
• Attend or compete in the traditional regatta race held at noon in the Grand Harbour. The holiday is often synonymous with this traditional regatta, in which many teams go head-to-head for the Regatta Shield.
• Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtags #MaltaFreedomDay, #MaltaFree and #IndependentMalta.