Victory Day (orOtto settembre) is a public holiday celebrated inMalta on 8 September[1] and recalls the end of three historical sieges made on the Maltese archipelago, namely: theGreat Siege of Malta by theOttoman Empire ending in 1565; theSiege of Valletta by the French Blockade ending in 1800; and, theSiege of Malta during the Second World War by the Axis forces ending in 1943.
| Victory Day | |
|---|---|
 Fireworks aboveFort St. Angelo on Victory Day 2016, reminiscent of the bombings in World War II | |
| Also called | Il-Vitorja Il-Bambina |
| Observed by | Malta |
| Significance | In remembrance of the victories in the Sieges of Malta of 1565, 1800 and 1943 |
| Date | 8 September |
| Next time | 8 September 2025 (2025-09) |
| Frequency | annual |
This day also coincides with the commemoration of the birth of theVirgin Mary, better known as theNativity of Mary, which is celebrated in the villages ofSenglea,Naxxar andMellieha in Malta, andXagħra inGozo. It is locally known asil-Vitorja (the Victory) andil-Bambina (the Baby).[2] The traditionalregatta featuring boat races in theGrand Harbour is held on Victory Day.
Events related to 8 September
editOn 7 September 1565, theSicilian fleetGran Soccorso, reached the Maltese shores to provide assistance to the Maltese, therefore setting back the Turkish invasion. The next day, after more than three months of siege, the Ottomans, who were besieging the suburbs of Birgu and Isla, retired their forces and left that region of the island. Despite battles continuing in the region of what today isSt. Paul's Bay, it can be said that this date marked the last day of theGreat Siege, which is considered one of the bloodiest in world history and the greatest siege in the history of Malta.[3]
The surrender of French troops that had beenoccupying Malta toEmmanuele Vitale and CanonFrancesco Saverio Caruana on 4 September 1800 is also a historical event related to the celebration taking place on this day.[2]
Thesiege of Malta in the Second World War concluded in November 1942. During this time, Malta experienced a total of 3,000 bombing raids over a period of two years in an effort to destroyRoyal Air Force defences and the ports.[4] For enduring this, KingGeorge VI of the United Kingdomawarded the George Cross to the entire island and the design of theGeorge Cross was incorporated into the Maltese flag.[5]
On 8 September 1943,Italy withdrew from the war andended hostilities against the Allies and turned against its formerGerman ally. The Italian Prime Minister, MarshalPietro Badoglio, read the statement that "The Italian Government, recognizing the impossibility of continuing the unequal struggle against the overwhelming power of the enemy, and with the object of avoiding further and more grievous harm to the nation, has requested an armistice from General Eisenhower ... This request has been granted. The Italian forces will, therefore, cease all acts of hostility against the Anglo-American forces wherever they may be met ..."[6] U.S. Army GeneralDwight D. Eisenhower released the news of the unconditional surrender, "effective this instant", at the same time in a broadcast from Allied Headquarters in North Africa.[7] TheItalian fleet sailed to Malta to surrender.[8]
Activities
editCultural activities celebrating Victory Day take place on 7 September, inGreat Siege Square inValletta, and involve literary readings, music and artistic performances. On Victory Day, the Armed Forces of Malta parade on Republic Street, Valletta, and reach theCo-Cathedral of St. John, where they salute the Prime Minister and the Maltese anthem is finally played. A mass for the highest-ranking officers is held later on the day within the same temple. To mark the event, the President places a symbolic garland at the foot of the monument of the Great Siege to commemorate the victims of the World War.[3]
The primary activity is a boat race organized by the Maltese Council for Sport (Maltese:Kunsill Malti għall-Isport), locally known asregatta, that takes place in theGrand Harbour, engaging the affiliated societiesCospicua,Vittoriosa,Birzebbuga,Marsa,Marsamxett,Kalkara andIsla. A number of boat races subdivided in two categories take place.[9]
In Gozo, a commemorative ceremony is held in Independence Square inRabat presided by the Minister for Gozo.[3] The Armed Forces of Malta also involve themselves in a parade and finally place a wreath at the foot of the War Memorial dedicated toChrist the King of Jews.[10]
The day is also connected to theNativity of Mary, and feasts are celebrated inXagħra,Naxxar,Senglea, andMellieħa.[11]
See also
edit- Victory Day in other countries
References
edit- ^"Malta Events Calendar 2022".Maltalingua.com. Retrieved9 September 2017.
- ^ab"Il-Vitorja (Victory Day)", Visit Malta, Malta Tourism Authority
- ^abc"Il-Vitorja".Cogitationes Mei De (in Maltese). Retrieved9 September 2017.[unreliable source?]
- ^Holland, James (2003).Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940–1943. London: Miramax Books. p. 417.ISBN 1-4013-5186-7.
- ^Bonavia, Carmel (15 April 2012)."George Cross awarded to Malta 70 years ago today".Times of Malta. Retrieved6 September 2018.
- ^Garland, Albert N.; Smyth, Howard McGaw (1993).The Mediterranean Theater of Operations: Sicily and the Surrender of Italy. Washington, DC: Center of Military History, United States Army. p. 509.ISBN 9780160899485. Retrieved6 September 2018.
- ^"ITALY QUITS WAR!".Pittsburgh Press. 8 September 1943. p. 1.
- ^Rudolf, Uwe Jens; Berg, Warren G. (27 April 2010).Historical Dictionary of Malta. Scarecrow Press. p. 239.ISBN 9780810873902. Retrieved6 September 2018.
- ^Ayling, Liz (7 September 2011)."Rivalry at the Regatta: 8 September is Victory Day".Malta InsideOut. Retrieved6 September 2018.
- ^"Victory Day Activities".The Malta Independent. 6 September 2006. Retrieved6 September 2018.
- ^"Malta's 4-in-1 Victory Day Festivities".Azure. 7 September 2017. Retrieved6 September 2018.