A Day in Maltese History

The Riot of Sette Giugno - June 7, 1919

Malta and the Maltese had experienced quite a relatively peaceful existence during the two centuries under British rule. Although there were times when the Imperial Government wanted to exercise more power over Malta and further disadvantage the Maltese people.

Dr. F. Sceberras of the Malta National Assembly set up to defend the nation and bring about social and political changes.  He had called for a meeting of the National Assembly on June 7, 1919 to press on for self--government to the Maltese Archipelago. On that day thousands of Maltese went to Valletta to give their support and to show their interest in what the delegates were discussing.

Among those who had converged on Valletta on that historic and tragic day were many who had recently lost their jobs with the British Forces. Others were politically motivated because they opposed Malta's political status. There were also supporters of a local politician, Manwel Dimech, who had spread radical and nationalistic ideas particularly among the unemployed. Dimech had been exiled to Alexandria, Egypt by the British during World War I. He was ordered to stay there and never to return to his native land. However Dimech's ideas and motivation was kept alive by many Maltese.

Dimech's followers were determined in their quest for national independence and for the setting up of a Maltese secular state which was to be democratic and free from the interferences of external forces.

While the National Assembly was at its deliberations, it became known that the demonstration outside had turned into a riot. Some demonstrators tore down British flags to the delight of the excited crowds. They also attacked houses and other premises, which belonged to Imperialist sympathisers. Those who were thought to have made good money out of the misery of the people were especially attacked. The crowd also taunted the few British soldiers who had been called out to contain the riot.

Someone in a British uniform panicked and shots were fired into the unarmed crowd. When the uproar died down four Maltese victims had lost their lives.

The Maltese now felt that not only did they have a just cause but that their wishes were hallowed by the blood of four of their brothers. The names of the four men were to be remembered and revered. The men killed were Lorenzo Dyer from Vittoriosa, Giuseppe Bajada from Gozo, Emmanuele Attard from Sliema and Carmelo Abela from Valletta.

The effects of the riot of June 7, 1919, were many. The British realised that the Maltese could not be taken for granted any longer. Constitutional progress was accelerated and on November 20, of that year the Maltese were promised their own parliament, which would have jurisdiction over internal affairs. A new constitution was granted on April 30, 1921. In October elections were held and in November the first Maltese Parliament was convened.