Independence Day is one of the five national holidays in Malta. It celebrates the day the country gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1964. Throughout its existence, Malta had a long and complex history which resulted in the island being ruled by a plethora of foreign rulers. Such rulers include the likes of the “Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Swabians, Aragonese, Hospitallers, French, and British”.
Malta's final ruler, Britain, granted Malta self-governance after Malta's brave resistance to the Axis powers and loyalty to Britain during World War Two, which did allow for the movement for independence to grow more in popularity. Malta declared independence from the British Empire and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1964 and declared itself a republic a decade later, known as Republic Day.
The Maltese people greatly celebrate the occasion with many activities and ceremonies. The number of activities change every year, but there won't ever be a shortage of them. “There are numerous parades, festivals, musical performances, and cultural events all over the island of Malta and the smaller island of Gozo”. Every Sunday during the months of March to December, the “In Guardia Parades”, a series of historical re-enactments of past battles by veteran reenactors, is played.
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