Malta's history — key periods and events

Malta’s earliest farming communities are usually traced to Neolithic settlers from Sicily. Roughly between 3600 and 2500 BCE, early inhabitants built the Megalithic Temples — free-standing stone structures.

The best-known temple complexes include Ġgantija on Gozo, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra on Malta, and Tarxien. The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is an underground prehistoric burial site. Several of these sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites; check UNESCO and Heritage Malta for current details.

These sites are central to how Malta presents its ancient past. Why the temple-building culture ended is debated.

Later, Malta was settled by Phoenicians (traditionally dated to around 750 BCE) and fell within the Carthaginian sphere before coming under Roman rule (traditionally dated to 218 BCE). Roman remains such as mosaics and baths survive in Malta.

According to the Acts of the Apostles (chapter 28), St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta, a tradition central to Maltese Catholic identity. The feast of the Shipwreck of St Paul (10 February) is a public holiday.

After Roman rule, Malta passed through Byzantine hands and was taken by Arab forces from North Africa, traditionally dated to 870 CE; Norman intervention followed in 1091. Maltese developed from Siculo-Arabic, and many Maltese words have Arabic roots.

The Knights of St John (the Order of St John, also known as the Hospitallers) arrived in Malta in 1530, granted the island by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V as a base against Ottoman expansion. The Order transformed Malta — developing Valletta and the Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua), creating the fortification system that still defines the Grand Harbour, and founding hospitals and civic institutions.

The Great Siege of 1565 was a major military event in Maltese history. The Ottoman Empire, under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, sent a large force to capture Malta and expel the Knights. After months of intense fighting, the Ottomans withdrew — Malta held.

The Knights ruled Malta for 268 years. Napoleon Bonaparte ended their rule in 1798. The French occupation lasted only until 1800, when the Maltese, supported by Britain, expelled them.

British rule began in 1800 and Malta was formally ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Paris (1814). British Malta became a strategic naval base — the Grand Harbour was an important base. British rule strengthened English-language use and influenced Malta's administration and institutions.

Malta was heavily bombed by Axis forces during the Second World War, particularly between 1940 and 1942, and the island endured sustained attack. In April 1942, King George VI awarded Malta the George Cross — a civilian gallantry medal — collectively to the people of Malta.

Malta gained independence on 21 September 1964, becoming a member of the Commonwealth. The last British forces left on 31 March 1979 — Freedom Day (a national public holiday). Malta became a republic on 13 December 1974 (Republic Day). Malta joined the European Union on 1 May 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2008.