The 1919 riots

Today, Malta celebrates The Sette Giugno which commemorates the 1919 riots in Valletta. From MaltaMedia News:

On this day, four Maltese men were shot and killed by British troops. Consequently, the National Assembly was founded, and a formal request for self-government was made. A commemorative ceremony is held at Palace Square, Valletta, in remembrance of the incidents of June 7 1919.

Being under British rule, the Maltese Islands gave their valid contribution to the Allies’ cause during the First World War. Malta’s main help to the British was through its dockyard and also as a hospital whereby thousands of sick and wounded soldiers were brought over to Malta. In fact, Malta at the time earned the title of the Nurse of the Mediterranean. Also, hundreds of Maltese served as soldiers in the regiments.

The war brought employment, but the high cost of living, particularly the increase in the cost of bread, which was then the staple food of most Maltese families, created serious problems for those who found it difficult to make ends meet. Yet, wages remained rather low. These factors, together with others including the discontent arising from the local situation, triggered off the so called Sette Giugno Riots in Valletta on the 7th June 1919 during which four Maltese were killed...