At midnight between 20th September and 21st September, 1964, the British flag was lowered and the Maltese one raised some 50 metres away from this place. On that day Malta started its journey as an independent state.
Since then, apart from the official celebrations, the Nationalist Party - the party that brought this about - has celebrated the event ending with the raising of the Maltese flag accompanied by the Maltese Anthem. Three of the most popular Maltese singers are here on stage singing the Anthem while the flag is slowly being raised. Unfortunately there was little wind to make the flag flutter proudly.
I was there in 1964 and have very rarely missed attending this annual commemoration.
The party celebrations start five days before the event and I have attended another session besides this. I have taken hundreds of pictures and hope to post a few in the future.
Many thanks for your views, comments, and FAV’s. They are very much appreciated.
Neat shot! Thanks for the historical background, too. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own country's events we forget to look around at the rest of the world. . . .
Ian