From MaltaMedia.com

Malta marks 85th anniversary of Sette Giugno riots
By Ruth Davies
Jun 7, 2004, 10:50

On Monday Malta celebrates the national holiday of Sette Giugno 1919, when four Maltese men were killed in riots fanned by the post-World War I cost of living and discontent with the British colonial rule. Once again Mr. Speaker Anton Tabone renewed the call for the Parliament's administration to become independent from the government as in foreign countries.

The 1919 riots led to the first responsible government in Malta, the so-called "Self-government" in 1921. It was the first time the Maltese could elect Maltese members of Parliament.

The remembrance ceremonies commenced as early as Sunday morning where a bouquets of flowers were placed on the monument of the Sette Giugno victims at Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows) cemetery. The victims included Guzeppi Bajada, Manwel Attard, Wenzu Dyer and Karmenu Abela.

On Monday morning a commemorative ceremony was held in St. George's Square, Valletta, in front of the House of Representatives. Speaker Anton Tabone delivered the main speech on the occasion. He renewed the call made by previous speakers in the last decade for the Parliament's administration to become independent from the government as in foreign countries. He also accounted for the strengthening of Parliament's increasing workload related to the European Union.

He also appealed Members of Parliament for more commitment, especially at Committee level.

Speaking of next Saturday's election of the first Maltese Members of the European Parliament, Mr. Speaker said although they will not sit in the Maltese Parliament, they are the heirs of the long political evolution that began in 1919.

Along with the Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Dr. Alfred Sant, Speaker Anton Tabone subsequently placed a flower garland at the foot of the Sette Giugno monument. Other high authorities also attended the ceremony.

The commemorative celebration also included marches by the Police Corps and the sounding of the national anthem L-Innu Malti .

A minute of silence was observed in memory of the four fallen men on the 7th June 1919.


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