Sette Giugno is a significant national holiday in Malta, commemorated every year on 7th June.
This day marks the events of 1919, when violent riots erupted in Malta, during the time when it was still a Dependency of the British Crown. These riots were triggered by severe socioeconomic struggles faced by the Maltese population in the aftermath of the First World War. The protests, driven by rising food prices, social inequality, and frustration over economic hardship, culminated in the tragic deaths of four Maltese civilians – Manwel Attard, Wenzu Dyer, Karmenu Abela, and Ġużeppi Bajada. These men became martyrs in Malta’s long journey toward self-determination and national dignity.
This event is regarded as a catalyst for the political changes that eventually led to the 1921 Amery-Milner Constitution, which granted Malta limited self-government. Today, Sette Giugno serves as a national day of remembrance, reflection, and recognition of the sacrifices made by the Maltese people throughout its rich, yet sometime embattled, history. It is a day to look back on the struggles that shaped this micro island-state’s path to independence, which was eventually achieved in 1964, 43 years later.
One of the central landmarks associated with this day is the Sette Giugno Monument, another work by Anton Agius, located in St. George’s Square in Valletta, opposite the President’s Palace. The monument was unveiled in 1986 and features bronze figures symbolising both the victims of the riots and the resilient spirit of the Maltese population. It stands as a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for Malta’s freedoms in the ongoing pursuit of justice, representation, and national unity that shaped Malta’s modern identity.
Francesca Gauci
Apprentice Administrative Executive
