Valletta, Malta Sette Giugno
Leave your feedback
LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK

Video ID: 430

Submitting Feedback

Remembering the tragic events of Sette Giugno in Malta

Description

Sette Giugno is a national holiday in Malta to commemorate the tragic events of 1919 following a series of protests in Valletta.

On June 7, three Maltese protesters, Manwel Attard, Ġuzeppi Bajada and Lorenzo Dyer, died when British soldiers fired at a rioting crowd in Old Bakery Street. Another protester, Carmelo Abela, was stabbed the following day and died a few days later.

Tensions had been rising Malta since the end of the First World War. Growing unemployment, hunger, a rise in the cost of living and newly-introduced taxes only served to inflame the situation and there were growing calls for Malta to be granted some kind of self-government. In the weeks after the Sette Giugno tragedy, Malta’s Governor Lord Plumer recommended a number of liberal concessions. Based on his report, MPs at Westminster agreed that Malta ‘must have control of purely local affairs’.

The first election held under the new Maltese constitution was held in October 1921. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, formally opened the new representative chambers at the Palace in Valletta in November 1921.

Since 1989, a national holiday has been held every year as a mark of respect to those who died in the protests. The Sette Giugno monument was unveiled in St George’s Square in 1986.

More places from Valletta

Malta pays tribute to Sir Winston Churchill
Valletta, Malta churchill in malta churchill death
This archive footage shows how Malta mourned the death of Sir Winston Churchill....
A new lease of life for a Valletta landmark
Valletta, Malta Anton Buttigieg mcc opening 1979
This archive footage shows some of the extensive restoration work carried out in...
Honouring Maltese social reformer Manwel Dimech
Valletta, Malta
This film from the archives shows the installation of a statue of Maltese social...
Valletta marks a very special anniversary
Valletta, Malta Archbishop Michael Gonzi valletta anniversary
This colour footage from the archives shows special events in Valletta in 1966 t...
The proud history of Fort St Elmo in Valletta
Valletta, Malta
Guarding Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour is Fort St Elmo, named after the patr...
Valletta prepares for Carnival in the 1950s
Valletta, Malta carnival in malta
Carnival in Malta falls right before Lent, usually at the end of February. The f...
Building one of Malta’s most iconic landmarks
Valletta, Malta
With its huge dome, the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is one of the most ...
Malta marks the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
Valletta, Malta Easter in Malta
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, or ‘Jum id-Duluri’ has a special p...
State Opening of Malta’s Parliament in 1950s
Valletta, Malta George Borg Olivier opening of malta parliament
This amazing film from our archives shows the pomp and ceremony surrounding the ...
Malta celebrates the Coronation of King George V
Valletta, Malta King George V Coronation
This amazing archive footage shows a military parade in Valletta to mark the Cor...
What powers does the President of Malta have?
Valletta, Malta Agatha Barbara
The President of Malta is the island’s head of state. Presidents serve a f...
‘It was terrible’: How Malta survived the war
Valletta, Malta archive footage malta war
This extraordinary archive footage shows how people in Malta struggled during th...

Places Nearby

The proud history of Fort St Elmo in Valletta
Valletta, Malta
Guarding Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour is Fort St Elmo, named after the patr...
Extraordinary footage shows Valletta life in the 1950s
Valletta, Malta KIngsway
This wonderful archive film footage shows the hustle and bustle of city life in ...
Malta has always been famous for its crystal clear sea
Sliema, Malta malta beaches
This charming archive footage shows families and holidaymakers enjoying fun days...
Building one of Malta’s most iconic landmarks
Valletta, Malta
With its huge dome, the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is one of the most ...
How Maltese workers are among the luckiest in Europe
Msida General Workers Union
Maltese workers are the luckiest in Europe when it comes to holidays. Malta is...
Ceremony marks end of British military base in Malta
Birgu Dom Mintoff Freedom Day
  The last minute of 31st March 1979 marked the end of an era as Malta ceas...
Malta’s maritime city: Meet the people of Vittoriosa (Birgu)
Birgu
This is a short extract from a documentary which was first broadcast in 1978. It...
Keeping Maltese traditions alive: All Souls’ Day
Paola all souls day
All Souls’ Day is commemorated in Malta on November 2 each year. Also know...
Malta celebrates the Coronation of King George V
Valletta, Malta King George V Coronation
This amazing archive footage shows a military parade in Valletta to mark the Cor...
Going down? The story of Malta’s original Barrakka Lift
Valletta, Malta Joe Dimech Barrakka Lift
Valletta’s first Barrakka Lift operated between 1905 and 1973, linking the...
When Malta hosted the world’s largest Catholic festival
Floriana Eucharistic Congress
In 1913, Malta hosted one of the largest religious festivals ever to be held on ...
State Opening of Malta’s Parliament in 1950s
Valletta, Malta George Borg Olivier opening of malta parliament
This amazing film from our archives shows the pomp and ceremony surrounding the ...