Editing Malta (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of Malta}}

===Prehistory===
{{See also|Megalithic Temples of Malta|Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum|Għar Dalam}}

Malta has been inhabited from at least circa 6500 BC, with the arrival of [[Mesolithic]] hunter-gatherers likely originating from Sicily. Discoveries at [[Latnija Cave]] led by the Maltese archaeologist Eleanor Scerri included the remains of hearths, stone tools and an abundant and diverse range of animal bones. These included indigenous red deer that are now extinct, fish and marine mammals, as well as abundant edible marine gastropods. To arrive on Malta, these hunter-gatherers had to cross around 100&nbsp;km of open water, documenting the longest yet-known sea crossing by hunter-gatherers in the Mediterranean.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Scerri |first=Eleanor M. L. |last2=Blinkhorn |first2=James |last3=Groucutt |first3=Huw S. |last4=Stewart |first4=Mathew |last5=Candy |first5=Ian |last6=Allué |first6=Ethel |last7=Burguet-Coca |first7=Aitor |last8=Currás |first8=Andrés |last9=Carleton |first9=W. Christopher |last10=Lindauer |first10=Susanne |last11=Spengler |first11=Robert |last12=Boxleitner |first12=Kseniia |last13=Asciak |first13=Gillian |last14=Colucci |first14=Margherita |last15=Gauci |first15=Ritienne |date=May 2025 |title=Hunter-gatherer sea voyages extended to remotest Mediterranean islands |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08780-y |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=641 |issue=8061 |pages=137–143 |doi=10.1038/s41586-025-08780-y |issn=1476-4687|pmc=12043505 }}</ref> The extinction of the [[Hippopotamus melitensis|dwarf hippos]], [[Cygnus falconeri|giant swans]] and [[Palaeoloxodon falconeri|dwarf elephants]] has historically been linked to the earliest arrival of humans on Malta.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/3096/palaeol.html |title=Palaeolithic Man in the Maltese Islands |author=A. Mifsud |author2=C. Savona-Ventura |author3=S. Mifsud |access-date=8 July 2019 |archive-date=17 January 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990117003916/http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/3096/palaeol.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> However this seems unlikely since recent work suggests these animals went extinct many thousands of years before the arrival of the first people,<ref>{{Cite book |last=van der Geer |first=Alexandra |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781444323986 |title=Evolution of Island Mammals |last2=Lyras |first2=George |last3=de Vos |first3=John |last4=Dermitzakis |first4=Michael |date=2010-08-03 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=978-1-4051-9009-1 |language=en |doi=10.1002/9781444323986}}</ref> and no such animals were found in association with the earliest known Mesolithic hunter-gatherers.<ref name=":0" /> The claim for an earlier occupation of the island by [[Neanderthal|Neanderthals]] is widely rejected.<ref name=":0" /> <sup>Supplementary Information</sup> [[Early European Farmers|Neolithic Farmers]], also originating from Sicily, are thought to have arrived on the islands by around 5400 BC.<ref name=":0" /> Prehistoric farming settlements dating to the [[Early Neolithic]] include the [[Għar Dalam]] cave site in the uppermost layers associated with domesticated animals.<ref name="Skeates2010">{{Cite book |last=Skeates|first= Robin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HOjDB8M27wkC&pg=PA124 |title=An Archaeology of the Senses: Prehistoric Malta |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-19-921660-4 |pages=124–132 }}</ref> The Neolithic population on Malta grew [[cereals]], raised livestock and, in common with other ancient Mediterranean cultures, worshipped a [[mother goddess|fertility figure]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=History|publisher=Maltese Italian Chamber of Commerce|url=https://www.micc.org.mt/en/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1235&Itemid=821&lang=en|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008001147/https://www.micc.org.mt/en/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1235&Itemid=821&lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Ggantija Temples, Xaghra, Gozo.jpg|thumb|[[Ġgantija]] [[megalith]]ic temple complex]]
A culture of [[megalith]]ic temple builders then either supplanted or arose from this early period. Around 3500 BC, these people built some of the oldest existing free-standing structures in the world in the form of the megalithic [[Ġgantija]] temples on [[Gozo]];<ref name="otsf">{{Cite web |title=Old Temples Study Foundation |url=http://www.otsf.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208014817/http://otsf.org/ |archive-date=8 February 2014 |access-date=31 March 2009 |publisher=OTSF}}</ref> other early temples include those at [[Ħaġar Qim]] and [[Mnajdra]].<ref name="b1">{{cite book|first=Daniel |last=Cilia|title=Malta Before History|year=2004|publisher= Miranda Publishers| isbn=99909-85-08-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sheehan |first=Sean |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LRGrRy7S750C&pg=PA87 |title=Malta |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-7614-0993-9 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Archaeology and prehistory |url=http://users.aber.ac.uk/jpg/malta/arch.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212031419/http://users.aber.ac.uk/jpg/malta/arch.html |archive-date=12 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2009 |publisher=Aberystwyth, The University of Wales}}</ref> The temples have distinctive architecture, typically a complex [[trefoil]] design, and were used from 4000 to 2500 BC. Tentative information suggests that [[animal sacrifice]]s were made to the goddess of fertility, whose statue is now in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Museum of Archaeology |url=http://www.visitmalta.com/museum-of-archaeology  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329164847/http://visitmalta.com/museum-of-archaeology |archive-date=29 March 2010 |website=Visitmalta.com}}</ref> Another archaeological feature of the Maltese Islands often attributed to these ancient builders is equidistant uniform grooves dubbed "cart tracks" or "cart ruts", which can be found in several locations throughout the islands, with the most prominent being those found in [[Misraħ Għar il-Kbir|Misraħ Għar il-Kbir ("Clapham Junction")]]. These may have been caused by wooden-wheeled carts eroding soft limestone.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2009 |title=Ancient mystery solved by geographers |url=http://www.port.ac.uk/aboutus/newsandevents/news/archive2009/april2009/title,94480,en.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229050005/http://www.port.ac.uk/aboutus/newsandevents/news/archive2009/april2009/title%2C94480%2Cen.html |archive-date=29 December 2010 |access-date=14 November 2010 |website=Port.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mottershead, Derek |last2=Pearson, Alastair |last3=Schaefer, Martin |year=2008 |title=The cart ruts of Malta: an applied geomorphology approach |journal=Antiquity |volume=82 |issue=318 |pages=1065–1079 |doi=10.1017/S0003598X00097787 |s2cid=162827926 }}</ref> The culture apparently disappeared from the islands around 2500 BC, possibly due to famine or disease.

After 2500 BC, the Maltese Islands were depopulated for several decades until an influx of [[Bronze Age]] immigrants, a culture that [[Cremation|cremated]] its dead and introduced smaller megalithic structures called [[dolmen]]s.<ref>{{cite web|first=Daniel|last=Cilia|url=http://web.infinito.it/utenti/m/malta_mega_temples/linetime.html|title=Malta Before Common Era|work=The Megalithic Temples of Malta|access-date=28 January 2007|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607074024/http://web.infinito.it/utenti/m/malta_mega_temples/linetime.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They are claimed to belong to a population certainly different from that which built the previous megalithic temples. It is presumed the population arrived from [[Sicily]] because of the similarity of Maltese dolmens to some small constructions found there.<ref name="Piccolo-dolmens">{{Cite book |last1=Piccolo|first1=Salvatore |title=Ancient Stones, The Prehistoric Dolmens of Sicily |last2=Darvill|first2= Timothy |publisher=Brazen Head Publishing |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-9565106-2-4}}</ref>

===Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans===
{{See also|Magna Graecia|Phoenicia|Cippi of Melqart|Ancient Rome|Sicilia (Roman province)|Byzantine Malta}}
[[File:Justinian555AD.png|thumb|right| The lands which comprise modern-day Malta were a part of the Byzantine Empire (the empire in 555 under [[Justinian the Great]], at its greatest extent since the fall of the [[Western Roman Empire]] (its [[vassal state|vassals]] in pink)).]]
[[Phoenicia]]n traders<ref name="ndmh">{{Cite news |date=6 February 2008 |title=Notable dates in Malta's history |publisher=Department of Information&nbsp;– Maltese Government |url=http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/islands/dates.asp |url-status=live |access-date=6 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125021207/http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/islands/dates.asp |archive-date=25 November 2009}}</ref> [[Phoenician colonization|colonised]] the islands under the name Ann ({{lang|phn|𐤀𐤍𐤍‎}}, {{sc|ʾnn}}){{sfnp|Culican|1992}}{{sfnp|Filigheddu|2006}}<ref name=vel/> sometime after {{nowrap|1000 BC}}<ref name="ashby">{{Cite journal |last=Ashby |first=Thomas |year=1915 |title=Roman Malta |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1449693 |journal=Journal of Roman Studies |volume=5 |pages=23–80 |doi=10.2307/296290 |jstor=296290 |s2cid=250349579 |access-date=30 August 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327063440/https://zenodo.org/record/1449693 |url-status=live }}</ref> as a stop on their trade routes from the eastern [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] to [[Cornwall]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Owen |first=Charles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OhRCAAAAIAAJ |title=The Maltese Islands |publisher=Praeger |year=1969 }}</ref> Their seat of government was apparently at [[Mdina]], which shared the island's name;{{sfnp|Culican|1992}}{{sfnp|Filigheddu|2006}} the primary port was at [[Cospicua]] on the [[Grand Harbour]], which they called Maleth.<ref name=vel/> After the [[Siege of Tyre (332 BC)|fall of Phoenicia]] in 332 BC, the area came under the control of [[Carthage]].<ref name="ashby" /><ref name="maltihist">{{Cite book |last=Terterov |first=Marat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kc7DO3TZEYcC&pg=PA4 |title=Doing Business with Malta |publisher=GMB Publishing Ltd |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-905050-63-5 }}</ref> During this time, the people on Malta mainly cultivated [[olive]]s and [[Ceratonia siliqua|carob]] and produced textiles.<ref name="maltihist" />

[[File:Roman Malta.jpg|thumb|[[Ancient Rome|Roman]] mosaic from the [[Domvs Romana]]]]

During the [[First Punic War]], the island was conquered after harsh fighting by [[Marcus Atilius Regulus]].<ref name="ei">{{Cite web |title=Malta |url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/malta_(Enciclopedia-Italiana)/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101065621/http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/malta_(Enciclopedia-Italiana)/ |archive-date=1 January 2016 |access-date=2 November 2015 |website=Enciclopedia Italiana |language=it}}</ref> After the failure of his expedition, the island fell back in the hands of Carthage, only to be [[Capture of Malta (218 BC)|conquered again]] during the [[Second Punic War]] in {{nowrap|218 BC}} by the [[Roman consul]] [[Tiberius Sempronius Longus (consul 218 BC)|Tiberius Sempronius Longus]].<ref name=ei/> Malta became a {{lang|la|[[Civitas|Foederata Civitas]]}}, a designation that meant it was exempt from paying [[tribute]] or the rule of [[Roman law]], and fell within the jurisdiction of the [[Roman province|province]] of [[Sicilia (Roman province)|Sicily]].<ref name="malticross" /> Its capital at Mdina was renamed [[Melita (ancient city)|Melita]] after the Greek and Roman name for the island. Punic influence, however, remained vibrant on the islands with the famous [[Cippi of Melqart]], pivotal in deciphering the [[Punic language]], dedicated in the second {{nowrap|century BC.}}<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wmRVAAAAcAAJ |title=The Art Journal: The Illustrated Catalogue of the Industry of All Nations|volume= 2 |publisher=Virtue |year=1853 |page=vii}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Volume 16, Issue 1 |url=http://www.patrimonju.org/content.aspx?id=176541&subId=176539  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221102448/http://www.patrimonju.org/content.aspx?id=176541&subId=176539 |archive-date=21 February 2014 |access-date=16 February 2014 |publisher=Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti}}</ref> Local Roman coinage, which ceased in the first {{nowrap|century BC,}}<ref name="cassar56–57">{{harvnb|Cassar|2000|pp=56–57}}</ref> indicates the slow pace of the island's Romanisation: the last locally minted coins still bear inscriptions in [[Ancient Greek]] and Punic motifs, showing the resistance of the Greek and Punic cultures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=218 BC – 395 AD Roman Coinage |url=http://www.centralbankmalta.org/timeline-coins |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126230408/http://www.centralbankmalta.org/timeline-coins |archive-date=26 January 2015 |access-date=2 November 2015 |publisher=Bank of Malta}}</ref>

In the second century, Emperor [[Hadrian]] (r. 117–38) upgraded the status of Malta to a {{nowrap|[[municipium]]}} or free town: the island's local affairs were administered by four {{lang|la|[[duumviri|quattuorviri iuri dicundo]]}} and a municipal senate, while a Roman [[procurator (Roman)|procurator]] living in [[Mdina]] represented the [[proconsul]] of Sicily.<ref name=ei/> In {{nowrap|AD 58,}} [[Paul the Apostle]] and [[Luke the Evangelist]] were shipwrecked on the islands.<ref name=ei/> Paul remained for three months, preaching the [[Early Christianity|Christian faith]].<ref name=ei/> The island is mentioned at the [[Acts of the Apostles]] as Melitene ({{langx|grc|Μελιτήνη}}).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0031.tlg005.perseus-grc1:28.1|title=Acts, chapter 28, verse 1|website=Perseus.tufts.edu|access-date=20 February 2021|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414123234/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0031.tlg005.perseus-grc1:28.1|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 395, when the [[Division of the Roman Empire|Roman Empire was divided for the last time]] at the death of [[Theodosius I]], Malta, following Sicily, fell under the control of the [[Western Roman Empire]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |year=1991 |title=Malta |encyclopedia=Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium |publisher=Oxford University Press |last=Brown |first=Thomas S. |editor-last=Kazhdan |editor-first=Alexander |page=1277 |isbn=978-0-19-504652-6}}</ref> During the [[Migration Period]] as the [[fall of the Western Roman Empire|Western Roman Empire declined]], Malta was conquered or occupied a number of times.<ref name="cassar56–57" /> From 454 to 464 the islands were subdued by the [[Vandals]], and after 464 by the [[Ostrogoths]].<ref name=ei/> In 533, [[Belisarius]], on his way to conquer the [[Vandal Kingdom]] in North Africa, reunited the islands under Imperial ([[Byzantine Empire|Eastern]]) rule.<ref name=ei/> Little is known about the [[Byzantine Malta|Byzantine rule in Malta]]: the island depended on the [[Sicily (theme)|theme of Sicily]] and had Greek governors and a small Greek garrison.<ref name=ei/> While the bulk of population continued to be constituted by the old, [[Latin Church|Latinized]] dwellers, during this period its religious allegiance oscillated between the Pope and the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]].<ref name=ei/> The Byzantine rule introduced [[Greeks|Greek]] families to the Maltese collective.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=I. E. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n1TmVvMwmo4C&pg=RA1-PA723 |title=The Cambridge Ancient History |last2=Gadd |first2=C. J.|author2-link=C. J. Gadd |last3=Hammond |first3=N. G. L.|author3-link=N. G. L. Hammond |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1975 |isbn=978-0-521-08691-2 |author-link=I. E. S. Edwards}}</ref> Malta remained under the [[Byzantine Empire]] until 870, when it was conquered by the [[Arabs]].<ref name=ei/><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Troll, Christian W. |title=Christian Lives Given to the Study of Islam |last2=Hewer, C.T.R. |date=12 September 2012 |publisher=Fordham University Press |isbn=978-0-8232-4319-8 |page=258 |chapter=Journeying toward God}}</ref>

===Arab period and the Middle Ages===
{{See also|Arab–Byzantine wars|Islam in Malta}}
Malta became involved in the [[Arab–Byzantine wars]], and the conquest of Malta is closely linked with [[Muslim conquest of Sicily|that of Sicily]] that began in 827 after [[Euphemius (Sicily)|Admiral Euphemius]]' betrayal of his fellow Byzantines, requesting that the [[Aghlabids]] invade the island.<ref name="stan">{{Cite news |date=7 October 2007 |title=Brief history of Sicily |website=Archaeology.Stanford.edu |url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/mountpolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119004221/http://www.stanford.edu/group/mountpolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf |archive-date=19 January 2012}}</ref> The [[Muslims|Muslim]] chronicler and geographer [[Kitab al-Rawd al-Mitar|al-Himyari]] recounts that in 870, following [[Siege of Melite (870)|a violent struggle]] against the defending Byzantines, the Arab invaders, first led by Halaf al-Hadim, and later by Sawada ibn Muhammad,<ref name="Travel Malta">{{Cite book |title=Travel Malta |publisher=MobileReference |isbn=978-1-61198-279-4 |at=The Arab period and the Middle Ages}}</ref> pillaged the island, destroying the most important buildings, and leaving it practically uninhabited until it was recolonised by the Arabs from Sicily in 1048–1049.<ref name="Travel Malta" /> It is uncertain whether this new settlement resulted from demographic expansion in Sicily, a higher [[standard of living]] in Sicily (in which case the recolonisation may have taken place a few decades earlier), or a civil war which broke out among the Arab rulers of Sicily in 1038.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brincat |first1=Joseph M. |title=Malta 870-1054: Al-Himyari's account and its linguistic implications |date=1995 |publisher=Said International |page=21 |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/55365/4/Malta_870_1054.pdf |access-date=8 December 2021 |archive-date=13 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213162211/https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/55365/4/Malta_870_1054.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Arab Agricultural Revolution]] introduced new irrigation, cotton, and some fruits. The [[Siculo-Arabic]] language was adopted on the island from Sicily; it eventually evolved into the [[Maltese language]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=Andrew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jIP9WiIOtKYC&pg=PA64 |title=Corpus Linguistics Around the World |publisher=Rodopi |year=2006 |isbn=978-90-420-1836-5 }}</ref>

===Norman conquest===
{{main|Norman invasion of Malta}}
[[File:Roger I of Sicily (Troina).jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Roger I of Sicily]] returned Malta to Christian rule.]]
The [[Normans]] attacked Malta in 1091, as part of their [[Norman conquest of Sicily|conquest of Sicily]].<ref>[[Charles William Previté-Orton|Previté-Orton]] (1971), pg. 507–11</ref> The Norman leader, [[Roger I of Sicily]], was welcomed by Christian captives,<ref name="malticross" /> though contrary to myth he did not tear off a portion of his checkered red-and-white banner and present it to the [[Maltese people|Maltese]] in gratitude for having fought on his behalf, forming the basis of the modern [[flag of Malta]].<ref name="malticross" /><ref>Blouet, B. (1987) The Story of Malta. Third Edition. Progress Press, p.37.</ref>

Malta became part of the newly formed [[Kingdom of Sicily]], which also covered the island of Sicily and the southern [[Italian Peninsula]].<ref name="malticross" /> The [[Catholic Church]] was reinstated as the state religion, with Malta under the [[See of Palermo]], and some [[Norman architecture]] sprang up around Malta, especially in its ancient capital [[Mdina]].<ref name="malticross" /> [[King Tancred]] made Malta a [[fief]] of the kingdom and installed a [[Count of Malta]] in 1192. As the islands were much desired due to their strategic importance, it was during this time that the men of Malta were militarised to fend off attempted conquest; early Counts were skilled [[Republic of Genoa|Genoese]] [[privateer]]s.<ref name="malticross" />

The kingdom passed on to the [[Hohenstaufen]] dynasty from 1194 until 1266. As [[Emperor Frederick II]] began to reorganise his Sicilian kingdom, Western culture and religion started to exert their influence more intensely.<ref>Blouet, B. (1987) The Story of Malta. Third Edition. Malta: Progress Press, p.37-38.</ref> Malta was declared a county and a [[Marquess|marquisate]], but its trade was totally ruined. For a long time it remained solely a fortified [[garrison]].<ref>{{cite book|author-link=Robert Montgomery Martin|author=Martin, Robert Montgomery|year=1843|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yDQGAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA568 |title=History of the colonies of the British Empire|publisher= W. H. Allen|page=569|quote=Malta remained for 72 years subject of the emperors of Germany. The island was after the period of Count Roger of the Normans afterward given up to the Germans, on account of the marriage between Constance, heiress of Sicily, and Henry VI, son of the Emperor Friedrick Barbarossa. Malta was elevated to a county and a marquisate, but its trade was now totally ruined, and for a considerable period of it remained solely a fortified garrison.}}</ref>

A mass expulsion of Arabs occurred in 1224, and the entire Christian male population of [[Celano]] in Abruzzo was deported to Malta in the same year.<ref name="malticross" /> In 1249 [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor]], decreed that all remaining Muslims be expelled from Malta<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2007 |title=Time-Line |website=AboutMalta.com |url=http://www.aboutmalta.com/history/time-Line.htm |url-status=live |access-date=23 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027030855/http://www.aboutmalta.com/history/time-Line.htm |archive-date=27 October 2016}}</ref> or compelled to convert.<ref>{{cite book|last=Goodwin|first= Stefan |year=2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=up9Fy-NBiLAC&pg=PA31 |title=Malta, Mediterranean bridge |publisher= Greenwood Publishing Group|page= 31|isbn=0-89789-820-6}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Peregin, Christian |date=4 August 2008 |title=Maltese makeover |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080804/local/maltese-makeover |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009093951/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080804/local/maltese-makeover |archive-date=9 October 2010 |access-date=28 November 2009 |website=The Times of Malta}}</ref>

For a brief period, the kingdom passed to the [[Capetian House of Anjou]],<ref>[http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2017(1951)4(Oct.-Dec.)/01.pdf Malta under the Angevins] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017195224/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2017(1951)4(Oct.-Dec.)/01.pdf |date=17 October 2017 }}. melitensiawth.com</ref> but high taxes made the dynasty unpopular in Malta, due in part to [[Charles I of Naples|Charles of Anjou]]'s war against the Republic of Genoa, and the island of [[Gozo]] was sacked in 1275.<ref name="malticross" />

===Crown of Aragon, the Knights of Malta and Portuguese Rule===
{{See also|County of Sicily|Kingdom of Sicily|Crown of Aragon|Hospitaller Malta|Great Siege of Malta|António Manoel de Vilhena}}
[[File:Bandiera del Regno di Sicilia 4.svg|thumb|Flag of the Aragonese [[Kingdom of Sicily]]]]
Malta was ruled by the [[House of Barcelona]], the ruling dynasty of the [[Crown of Aragon]], from 1282 to 1409,<ref name="culturalheritage.gov.mt">{{Cite web |title=Superintendance of Cultural Heritage |url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/textpage.asp?p=3107&l=1&v=1  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128125711/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/textpage.asp?p=3107&l=1&v=1 |archive-date=28 January 2012 |access-date=29 November 2011 |publisher=[[Government of Malta]]}}</ref> with the Aragonese aiding the Maltese insurgents in the [[Sicilian Vespers]] in [[Battle of Malta|the naval battle]] in [[Grand Harbour]] in 1283.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Luttrell |first=Anthony |year=1970 |title=The House of Aragon and Malta: 1282–1412 |url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Journal%20of%20the%20Faculty%20of%20Arts/Journal%20of%20the%20Faculty%20of%20Arts.%204(1970)2/08.pdf  |journal=Journal of the Faculty of Arts |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=156–168 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017195743/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Journal%20of%20the%20Faculty%20of%20Arts/Journal%20of%20the%20Faculty%20of%20Arts.%204(1970)2/08.pdf |archive-date=17 October 2017 |access-date=8 July 2017}}</ref>

Relatives of the [[kings of Aragon]] ruled the island until 1409 when it formally passed to the Crown of Aragon. Early on in the Aragonese ascendancy, the sons of the monarchs received the title [[Count of Malta]]. During this time much of the local nobility was created. By 1397, however, the bearing of the comital title reverted to a feudal basis, with two families fighting over the distinction. This led King [[Martin I of Sicily]] to abolish the title. The dispute over the title returned when the title was reinstated a few years later and the Maltese, led by the local nobility, rose up against Count [[Gonsalvo Monroy]].<ref name="malticross" /> Although they opposed the Count, the Maltese voiced their loyalty to the [[List of monarchs of Sicily|Sicilian Crown]], which so impressed [[Alfonso V of Aragon|King Alfonso V]] that he did not punish the people for their rebellion. Instead, he promised never to grant the title to a third party and incorporated it back into the crown. The city of [[Mdina]] was given the title of ''Città Notabile''.<ref name="malticross" />

In September&nbsp;1429, [[Hafsid dynasty|Hafsid]] Saracens [[Siege of Malta (1429)|attempted to capture Malta]] but were repelled by the Maltese. The invaders pillaged the countryside and took about 3,000&nbsp;inhabitants as [[Slavery in Malta|slaves]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Cauchi |first=Mark |date=12 September 2004 |title=575th&nbsp;anniversary of the 1429 Siege of Malta |newspaper=Times of Malta |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20040912/letters/575th-anniversary-of-the-1429-siege-of-malta.112708 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722013314/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20040912/letters/575th-anniversary-of-the-1429-siege-of-malta.112708 |archive-date=22 July 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Malta - Mdina - Pjazza San Pawl + St. Paul's Cathedral ex 01 ies.jpg|thumb|[[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina]] built in the [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] style]]
On 23 March 1530,<ref>Denaro, Victor F. (1963). [http://www.melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Melita%20Historica/MH.03(1960-63)/MH.3(1963)4/orig02.pdf ''Yet More Houses in Valletta ''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302135025/http://www.melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Melita%20Historica/MH.03(1960-63)/MH.3(1963)4/orig02.pdf |date=2 March 2016 }}. Melita Historica. p. 22.</ref> [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]], gave the islands to the [[Knights Hospitaller]] under the leadership of Frenchman [[Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam]],<ref>de Vertot, Abbe (1728) ''The History of the Knights of Malta'' vol. II (facsimile reprint Midsea Books, Malta, 1989).</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite web |title=Malta History |url=http://www.jimdiamondmd.com/malta_history.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308000224/http://www.jimdiamondmd.com/malta_history.htm |archive-date=8 March 2012 |access-date=12 October 2008 |website=Jimdiamondmd.com}}</ref> in perpetual lease for which they had to pay an annual [[Tribute of the Maltese Falcon|tribute of a single Maltese Falcon]].<ref name="autogenerated6">{{Cite web |title=Malta History 1000 AD–present |url=http://www.carnaval.com/malta/history/knights/  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204113517/http://www.carnaval.com/malta/history/knights/ |archive-date=4 February 2012 |access-date=12 October 2008 |website=Carnaval.com}}</ref><ref name="odonnel">{{Cite news |title=La cesión de Malta a los Caballeros de San Juan a través de la cédula del 4 de marzo de 1530 |website=orderofmalta.int |url=http://www.orderofmalta.int/wp-content/uploads/archive/pubblicazioni/La_cesion_de_Malta.pdf  |access-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924074926/http://www.orderofmalta.int/wp-content/uploads/archive/pubblicazioni/La_cesion_de_Malta.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="perez">{{Cite news |title=LA SOBERANA ORDEN DE MALTA A TRAVÉS DE DIEZ SIGLOS DE HISTORIA Y SU RELACIÓN CON LA ACCIÓN HUMANITARIA |website=uma.es |url=http://riuma.uma.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10630/4735/TESIS%20ORDEN%20DE%20MALTA%20%20A%20TRAV%C3%89S%20DE%20DIEZ%20SIGLOS.pdf?sequence=1  |access-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023615/http://riuma.uma.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10630/4735/TESIS%20ORDEN%20DE%20MALTA%20%20A%20TRAV%C3%89S%20DE%20DIEZ%20SIGLOS.pdf?sequence=1 |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="elpais">[http://elpais.com/diario/2005/08/14/revistaverano/1123970413_850215.html El halcón maltés regresará a España dos siglos después] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224914/http://elpais.com/diario/2005/08/14/revistaverano/1123970413_850215.html |date=3 March 2016 }}. ''El Pais'' (14 August 2005). Retrieved 1 May 2017.</ref><ref name="tc1">{{Cite news |title=La verdadera historia del halcón maltés |url=http://www.trofeocaza.com/noticia/1154/Entrevistas/La-verdadera-historia-del-halcon-maltes.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530023226/http://www.trofeocaza.com/noticia/1154/Entrevistas/La-verdadera-historia-del-halcon-maltes.html |archive-date=30 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="tc2">{{Cite news |date=22 October 2014 |title=El halcón y el mar |website=trofeocaza.com |url=http://www.trofeocaza.com/noticia/545/Reportajes/El-halcon-y-el-mar.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530023233/http://www.trofeocaza.com/noticia/545/Reportajes/El-halcon-y-el-mar.html |archive-date=30 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="abc">{{Cite news |title=El Rey volverá a tener otro halcón maltés en primavera |url=http://www.abc.es/20111011/contraportada/abcp-ignacio-palomo-alvarez-volvera-20111011.html |url-status=live |access-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222084608/http://www.abc.es/20111011/contraportada/abcp-ignacio-palomo-alvarez-volvera-20111011.html |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref> These knights, a military religious order also known as the Order of St John and later as the Knights of Malta, had been driven out of [[Rhodes]] by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1522.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hospitallers – religious order |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hospitallers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801180607/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hospitallers |archive-date=1 August 2017 |access-date=3 July 2017}}</ref>

[[Knights Hospitaller|The Knights Hospitaller]] ruled Malta and Gozo between 1530 and 1798.<ref name="Devrim. 2008">{{Cite book |last=Devrim. |first=Atauz, Ayse |title=Eight thousand years of Maltese maritime history: trade, piracy, and naval warfare in the central Mediterranean |date=2008 |publisher=University Press of Florida |isbn=978-0-8130-3179-8}}</ref> During this period, the strategic and military importance of the island grew greatly as the small yet efficient fleet of the [[Knights Hospitaller|Order of Saint John]] launched their attacks from this new base targeting the shipping lanes of the Ottoman territories around the Mediterranean Sea.<ref name="Devrim. 2008" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=McManamon |first=John |date=June 2003 |title=Maltese seafaring in mediaeval and post-mediaeval times |journal=Mediterranean Historical Review |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=32–58 |doi=10.1080/09518960412331302203 |s2cid=153559318 |issn=0951-8967}}</ref>

In 1551, the population of the island of [[Gozo]] (around 5,000 people) were [[Barbary slave trade|enslaved]] by [[Barbary pirates]] and taken to the [[Barbary Coast]] in North Africa.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Niaz |first=Ilhan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aU4sAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA399 |title=Old World Empires: Cultures of Power and Governance in Eurasia |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-91379-5 |page=399 }}</ref>

[[File:Matteo Perez d' Aleccio (1547-1616) - The Siege of Malta, Attack on the Post of the Castilian Knights, 21 August 1565 - BHC0257 - Royal Museums Greenwich.jpg|thumb|Ottoman attack on the post of the [[Langue (Knights Hospitaller)|Castilian knights]] on 21 August 1565]]
The knights, led by Frenchman [[Jean Parisot de Valette]], withstood the [[Great Siege of Malta]] by the Ottomans in 1565.<ref name=autogenerated2/> The knights, with the help of  Portuguese, Spanish and Maltese forces, repelled the attack.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Angelo Castillo, Dennis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i5ns5LNtoiUC&pg=PA55 |title=The Maltese Cross: A Strategic History of Malta |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-313-32329-4 |page=55}}</ref><ref>Braudel, Fernand (1995) ''The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II'', vol. II. University of California Press: Berkeley.{{page}}</ref> After the siege they decided to increase Malta's [[fortification]]s, particularly in the inner-harbour area, where the new city of [[Valletta]], named in honour of Valette, was built. They also established [[watchtower]]s along the coasts&nbsp;– the [[Wignacourt towers|Wignacourt]], [[Lascaris towers|Lascaris]] and [[De Redin towers]]&nbsp;– named after the Grand Masters who ordered the work. The Knights saw the completion of many architectural and cultural projects, including the embellishment of Città Vittoriosa (modern [[Birgu]]) and the construction of new cities including Città Rohan (modern [[Ħaż-Żebbuġ]]). However, by the late 1700s the power of the Knights had declined and the Order had become unpopular.

===French period and British conquest===
{{Main|French occupation of Malta|Siege of Malta (1798–1800)}}

[[File:Napoleonbonapartemalta.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Bust of Bonaparte at [[Palazzo Parisio (Valletta)|Palazzo Parisio]] in Valletta]]
The Knights' reign ended when [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] captured Malta on his way to [[Egypt]] during the [[French Revolutionary Wars: Campaigns of 1798|French Revolutionary Wars]] in 1798. During 12–18 June 1798, Napoleon resided at the [[Palazzo Parisio (Valletta)|Palazzo Parisio]] in Valletta.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palazzo Parisio |url=https://foreignaffairs.gov.mt/en/Pages/Palazzo-Parisio.aspx  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106024002/https://foreignaffairs.gov.mt/en/Pages/Palazzo-Parisio.aspx |archive-date=6 January 2018 |access-date=21 August 2015 |website=gov.mt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Napoleon's bedroom at Palazzo Parisio in Valletta! |url=http://blog.maltaweathersite.com/2014/01/napoleons-bedroom-at-palazzo-parisio-in-valletta/  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195826/http://blog.maltaweathersite.com/2014/01/napoleons-bedroom-at-palazzo-parisio-in-valletta/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=21 August 2015 |website=maltaweathersite.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stagno-Navarra, Karl |date=24 January 2010 |title=Leaving it in neutral |url=http://archive.maltatoday.com.mt/2010/01/24/interview.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016010540/http://archive.maltatoday.com.mt/2010/01/24/interview.html |archive-date=16 October 2015 |access-date=21 August 2015 |website=MaltaToday}}</ref> He reformed national administration with the creation of a Government Commission, twelve municipalities, a public finance administration, the abolition of all feudal rights and privileges, the [[Abolitionism in France|abolition of slavery]] and the granting of freedom to all [[Turkish people|Turkish]] and [[Jews|Jewish]] slaves.<ref>{{Cite news |title=This day, May 15, in Jewish history |work=Cleveland Jewish News |url=http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/cjnconnect/blogs/article_057a78b4-3f44-5375-a20d-a850a62b2194.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519165352/http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/cjnconnect/blogs/article_057a78b4-3f44-5375-a20d-a850a62b2194.html |archive-date=19 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="stbenedict">{{Cite web |last=Sciberras |first=Sandro |title=Maltese History – F. The French Occupation |url=http://www.stbenedictcollege.org/stlucija/files/Sandro%20Sciberras/Form%203%20Option%20Maltese%20History/Unit%20F_%20Malta%20under%20the%20French%20+%20WS%2012p.pdf  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503090732/http://www.stbenedictcollege.org/stlucija/files/Sandro%20Sciberras/Form%203%20Option%20Maltese%20History/Unit%20F_%20Malta%20under%20the%20French%20+%20WS%2012p.pdf |archive-date=3 May 2015 |access-date=23 November 2014 |publisher=St Benedict College}}</ref> On the judicial level, a family code was framed and twelve judges were nominated. [[Public education]] was organised along principles laid down by Bonaparte himself, providing for primary and secondary education.<ref name=stbenedict/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weider |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Weider |title=Chapter 12 – The Egyptian Campaign of 1798 |url=http://www.napoleonicsociety.com/english/Life_Nap_Chap12.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312073211/http://www.napoleonicsociety.com/english/Life_Nap_Chap12.htm |archive-date=12 March 2016 |website=International Napoleonic Society}}</ref> He then sailed for Egypt, leaving a substantial garrison in Malta.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shosenberg |first=J.W. |date=April 2017 |title=NAPOLÉON'S EGYPTIAN RIDDLE |journal=Military History |volume=34 |issue=1 |page=25 |via=Ebsco}}</ref>

The French forces left behind became unpopular with the Maltese, due particularly to the French forces' hostility towards Catholicism and pillaging of local churches to fund war efforts. French financial and religious policies so angered the Maltese that they rebelled, forcing the French to depart. Great Britain, along with the [[Kingdom of Naples]] and the [[Kingdom of Sicily]], sent ammunition and aid to the Maltese, and Britain also sent [[Royal Navy|its navy]], which blockaded the islands.<ref name=stbenedict/>

On 28 October 1798, Captain Sir [[Alexander Ball]] successfully completed negotiations with the French garrison on Gozo for a surrender and transfer of the island to the British. The British transferred the island to the locals that day, and it was administered by Archpriest [[Saverio Cassar]] on behalf of [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|Ferdinand III of Sicily]]. [[Gozo (independent state)|Gozo remained independent]] until Cassar was removed by the British in 1801.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Schiavone |first=Michael J. |title=Dictionary of Maltese Biographies A-F |date=2009 |publisher=Publikazzjonijiet Indipendenza |isbn=978-99932-91-32-9  |pages=533–534}}</ref>

General [[Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois]] surrendered his French forces in 1800.<ref name= stbenedict/> Maltese leaders presented the main island to Sir Alexander Ball, asking that the island become a British [[Dominion]]. The Maltese people created a [[Malta Protectorate#Declaration of Rights|Declaration of Rights]] in which they agreed to come "under the protection and sovereignty of the King of the free people, His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". The Declaration also stated that "his Majesty has no right to cede these Islands to any power...if he chooses to withdraw his protection, and abandon his sovereignty, the right of electing another sovereign, or of the governing of these Islands, belongs to us, the inhabitants and aborigines alone, and without control."<ref name="stbenedict" /><ref name="1940-43">{{Cite book |last=Holland |first=James |url=https://archive.org/details/fortressmaltaisl00holl |title=Fortress Malta An Island Under Siege 1940–43 |publisher=Miramax |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-4013-5186-1}}</ref>

===British Empire and the Second World War===
{{Main|Malta Protectorate|Crown Colony of Malta|Siege of Malta (World War II)}}

[[File:BombDamageMalta.jpg|thumb|The heavily bomb-damaged Kingsway (now Republic Street) in Valletta during the [[Siege of Malta (World War II)|siege of Malta]], 1942]]
In 1814, as part of the [[Treaty of Paris (1814)|Treaty of Paris]],<ref name="stbenedict" /><ref name="DIC_11">{{Harvnb|Rudolf|Berg|2010|p=11}}</ref> Malta officially became a part of the British Empire and was used as a shipping way-station and fleet headquarters. After the [[Suez Canal]] opened in 1869, Malta's position halfway between the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] and Egypt proved to be its main asset, and it was considered an important stop on the way to India, a central trade route for the British. A [[Turkish Military Cemetery]] was commissioned by [[Sultan Abdul Aziz]] and built between 1873 and 1874 for the fallen Ottoman soldiers of the [[Great Siege of Malta]].

Between 1915 and 1918, during the [[First World War]], Malta became known as ''the Nurse of the Mediterranean'' due to the large number of wounded soldiers who were accommodated there.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Galea |first=Michael |date=16 November 2014 |title=Malta earns the title 'nurse of the Mediterranean' |work=[[The Times (Malta)|The Times]] |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141116/life-features/Malta-earns-the-title-nurse-of-the-Mediterranean-.544455 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206134215/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141116/life-features/Malta-earns-the-title-nurse-of-the-Mediterranean-.544455 |archive-date=6 February 2016}}</ref> On 7 June 1919, the Maltese public rioted in response to a [[cost-of-living crisis]]; British troops eventually managed to suppress the riots, killing four in the process. The event, known as [[Sette Giugno]] ("7 June"), is commemorated every year and is one of five National Days.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Malta definition of Malta in the Free Online Encyclopedia. |encyclopedia=Free Online Encyclopedia – List of Legal Holidays |url=http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Malta |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617220624/http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Malta |archive-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SETTE GIUGNO |url=http://www.visitmalta.com/en/event-details/2013-06/sette-giugno-6533  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130231035/http://www.visitmalta.com/en/event-details/2013-06/sette-giugno-6533 |archive-date=30 January 2014 |access-date=8 July 2013 |website=Visitmalta – The official tourism website for Malta, Gozo and Comino }}</ref> Until the [[Second World War]], Maltese politics was dominated by the [[Language Question (Malta)|Language Question]] fought out by [[Italophone]] and [[Anglophone]] parties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence |url=http://www.maltavoyager.com/history_independence.html  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906002153/http://www.maltavoyager.com/history_independence.html |archive-date=6 September 2012}}</ref>

Before the Second World War, Valletta was the location of the Royal Navy's Mediterranean fleet headquarters; however, despite [[Winston Churchill]]'s objections,<ref name="BJandCS-p36">{{Cite book |last1=Bierman, John |url=https://archive.org/details/battleofalameint00bier/page/36 |title=The Battle of Alamein: Turning Point, World War II |last2=Smith, Colin |publisher=Viking |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-670-03040-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/battleofalameint00bier/page/36 36]}}</ref> the command was moved to [[Alexandria]], Egypt, in 1937 out of fear that it was too susceptible to air attacks from Europe.<ref name=BJandCS-p36/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Titterton, G. A. |title=The Royal Navy and the Mediterranean, Volume 2 |publisher=Psychology Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7146-5179-8 |page=xiii}}</ref><ref name="ElliottP--pxx">{{Cite book |last=Elliott, Peter |title=The Cross and the Ensign: A Naval History of Malta, 1798–1979 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=1980 |isbn=978-0-87021-926-9}}</ref> During the war Malta played an important role for the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]]; being a British colony, situated close to Sicily and the [[Axis Powers|Axis]] shipping lanes, Malta was bombarded by the Italian and German air forces. 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, intercepting German radio messages including [[Enigma (machine)|Enigma]] traffic.<ref name="CP-p42-44">{{Cite book |last=Calvocoressi, Peter |title=Top Secret Ultra – Volume 10 of Ballantine Espionage Intelligence Library |publisher=Ballantine Books |year=1981 |isbn=978-0-345-30069-0 |edition=reprint |pages=42, 44}}</ref> The bravery of the Maltese people during the second [[Siege of Malta (World War II)|siege of Malta]] moved [[King George VI]] to [[Award of the George Cross to Malta|award the George Cross to Malta]] on a collective basis on 15 April 1942. Some historians argue that the award caused Britain to incur disproportionate losses in defending Malta, as British credibility would have suffered if Malta had surrendered, [[Battle of Singapore|as British forces in Singapore had done]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Siege of Malta in World War Two |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/siege_malta_06.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229015847/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/siege_malta_06.shtml |archive-date=29 December 2007 |access-date=15 April 2007}}</ref> A depiction of the George Cross now appears on the [[Flag of Malta]] and the country's [[Coat of arms of Malta|arms]].

===Independence and Republic===
{{see also|State of Malta}}
[[File:Maglio gardens.jpg|thumb|Monument to the independence of Malta in [[Floriana]]]]
[[File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg|thumb|Malta joined the European Union in 2004 and signed the [[Lisbon Treaty]] in 2007.]]

Malta achieved its independence as the [[State of Malta]] on 21 September 1964 ([[Independence Day (Malta)|Independence Day]]). Under its 1964 constitution, Malta initially retained [[Elizabeth II]] as [[Queen of Malta]] and thus head of state, with a [[governor-general]] exercising executive authority on her behalf. In 1971, the [[Malta Labour Party]] led by [[Dom Mintoff]] won the general elections, resulting in Malta declaring itself a republic on 13 December 1974 ([[Republic Day (Malta)|Republic Day]]) within the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. A defence agreement was signed soon after independence, and after being re-negotiated in 1972, expired on 31 March 1979 ([[Freedom Day (Malta)|Freedom Day]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wolf |first=Eric R. |title=Religion, Power and Protest in Local Communities: The Northern Shore of the Mediterranean |date=1984 |isbn=978-3-11-086116-7 |page=206|publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG }}</ref> Upon its expiry, the British base closed and lands formerly controlled by the British were given to the Maltese government.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fenech |first=Dominic |date=February 1997 |title=Malta's external security |journal=GeoJournal |volume=41 |issue=2 |pages=153–163 |doi=10.1023/A:1006888926016 |bibcode=1997GeoJo..41..153F |s2cid=151123282 }}</ref>

In the aftermath of the departure of the remaining British troops in 1979, the country intensified [[Malta and the Non-Aligned Movement|its participation in the Non-Aligned Movement]]. Malta adopted a policy of [[Neutral country|neutrality]] in 1980.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Breacher |first=Michael |title=A Study of Crisis |publisher=University of Michigan Press |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-472-10806-0 |page=611}}</ref> In that same year, three of Malta's sites, including the capital [[Valletta]], were inscribed on the [[UNESCO World Heritage List]]. In 1989, Malta was the venue of a [[Malta Summit|summit]] between US President [[George H. W. Bush]] and Soviet leader [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], their first face-to-face encounter, which signalled the end of the [[Cold War]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 December 1989 |title=1989: Malta summit ends Cold War |work=BBC: On This Day |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/3/newsid_4119000/4119950.stm |url-status=live |access-date=1 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003190017/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/3/newsid_4119000/4119950.stm |archive-date=3 October 2018}}</ref> [[Malta International Airport]] was inaugurated and became fully operational on 25 March 1992, boosting the local aircraft and tourism industry. A [[2003 Maltese European Union membership referendum|referendum on joining the European Union]] was held on 8 March 2003, with 53.65% in favour.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 March 2003 |title=Malta votes 'yes' to EU membership |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/03/09/malta.yes/ |access-date=1 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030313220750/http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/03/09/malta.yes/ |archive-date=13 March 2003}}</ref> Malta joined the [[European Union]] on 1 May 2004<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of the European Union&nbsp;– 2000–today |url=http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/index_en.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011051104/http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/index_en.htm |archive-date=11 October 2007 |access-date=12 October 2007}}</ref> and the [[eurozone]] on 1 January 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2007 |title=Cyprus and Malta set to join eurozone in 2008 |url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/euro/cyprus-malta-set-join-eurozone-2008/article-163836 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130041939/http://www.euractiv.com/en/euro/cyprus-malta-set-join-eurozone-2008/article-163836 |archive-date=30 January 2009 |access-date=12 October 2007|work=Euractiv}}</ref>