9/9/21, 12:21 AM Victory Day (Malta) - Wikipedia

Victory Day (Malta)

Victory Day (or Otto settembre) is a public holiday celebrated
Victory Day
in Malta on 8 September[1] and recalls the end of three
historical sieges made on the Maltese archipelago, namely: the
Great Siege of Malta by the Ottoman Empire ending in 1565; the
Siege of Valletta by the French Blockade ending in 1800; and,
the Siege of Malta during the Second World War by the Axis
forces ending in 1943.

This day also coincides with the commemoration of the birth of

the Virgin Mary, better known as the Nativity of Mary, which is
celebrated in the villages of Senglea, Naxxar and Mellieha in Fireworks above Fort St. Angelo on
Malta, and Xagħra in Gozo. It is locally known as il-Vitorja (the
Victory Day 2016, reminiscent of the
Victory) and il-Bambina (the Baby). The traditional regatta
featuring boat races in the Grand Harbour is held on Victory bombings in World War II
Day.[2] Also called Il-Vitorja

Il-Bambina
Observed by Malta
Contents Significance In remembrance of the
victories in the Sieges
Events related to 8 September
of Malta of 1565, 1800
Activities and 1943
See also Date 8 September
References Frequency annual

Events related to 8 September

On 7 September 1565, the Sicilian fleet Gran 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 were ongoing in the region of what today is St.
Paul's Bay, it can be said that this date marked the last day of the Great Siege, which is considered as
one of the bloodiest in world history and the greatest siege in the history of Malta.[3]

The surrender of French troop that had been occupying Malta to Emmanuele Vitale and Canon
Francesco Saverio Caruana on 4 September 1800 is also a historical event related to the celebration
taking place on this day.[4]

The siege 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 destroy Royal Air
Force defences and the ports.[5] For enduring this, King George VI of the United Kingdom awarded
the George Cross to the entire island and the design of the George Cross was incorporated into the
Maltese flag.[6]

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On 8 September 1943, Italy withdrew from the war and ended hostilities against the Allies and turned
against its former German ally. The Italian Prime Minister, Marshal Pietro 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 arm 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 ..."[7] U.S. Army General Dwight 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.[8] The Italian fleet sailed to Malta to surrender.[9]

Activities
Cultural activities celebrating Victory Day take place on 7 September, in Great Siege Square in
Valletta, and involve literary readings, music and artistic performances. On Victory Day, the Armed
Forces of Malta parade on Republic Street, Valletta, and reach the Co-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 as regatta, that takes place in the Grand Harbour, engaging the affiliated
societies Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Birzebbuga, Marsa, Marsamxett, Kalkara and Isla. A number of boat
races subdivided in two categories take place.[10]

In Gozo, a commemorative ceremony is held in Independence Square in Rabat 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 to Christ the King of Jews.[11]

The day is also connected to the Nativity of Mary, and feasts are celebrated in Xagħra, Naxxar,
Senglea, and Mellieħa.[12]

See also
Victory Day in other countries

References
1. "Malta Events Calendar 2017" (http://www.maltalingua.com/malta/events/). Maltalingua.com.
Retrieved 9 September 2017.
2. "Traditional Rowing (run by Kalkara Regatta Club)" (http://www.um.edu.mt/degplus/sport_and_adv
enture/traditional_rowing). University of Malta. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
3. "Il-Vitorja" (http://cogitationesmeide.weebly.com/il-vitorja.html). Cogitationes Mei De (in Maltese).
Retrieved 9 September 2017.
4. "Il-Vitorja (Victory Day)" (https://www.visitmalta.com/en/event-details/2018-09/il-vitorja-victory-day-
-11110). Visit Malta. Malta Tourism Authority. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
5. Holland, James (2003). Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940–1943 (https://archive.org/det
ails/fortressmaltaisl00holl/page/417). London: Miramax Books. p. 417 (https://archive.org/details/f
ortressmaltaisl00holl/page/417). ISBN 1-4013-5186-7.

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6. Bonavia, Carmel (15 April 2012). "George Cross awarded to Malta 70 years ago today" (http://ww
w.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120415/life-features/George-Cross-awarded-to-Malta-70-year
s-ago-today.415609). Times of Malta. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
7. Garland, Albert N.; Smyth, Howard McGaw (1993). The Mediterranean Theater of Operations:
Sicily and the Surrender of Italy (https://books.google.com/books?
id=pqCFSMtjZH0C&pg=PA509). Washington, DC: Center of Military History, United States Army.
p. 509. ISBN 9780160899485. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
8. "ITALY QUITS WAR!" (https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=djft3U1LymYC&dat=19430908&
printsec=frontpage&hl=en). Pittsburgh Press. 8 September 1943. p. 1.
9. Rudolf, Uwe Jens; Berg, Warren G. (27 April 2010). Historical Dictionary of Malta (https://books.go
ogle.com/books?id=nwuUOVkaMB0C&pg=PA239). Scarecrow Press. p. 239.
ISBN 9780810873902. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
10. Ayling, Liz (7 September 2011). "Rivalry at the Regatta: 8 September is Victory Day" (http://maltai
nsideout.com/19652/rivalry-at-the-regatta/). Malta InsideOut. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
11. "Victory Day Activities" (http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-09-09/news/victory-day-acti
vities-96431/). The Malta Independent. 6 September 2006. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
12. "Malta's 4-in-1 Victory Day Festivities" (http://www.azure.com.mt/malta/malta-victory-day-celebrati
ons.html). Azure. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2018.

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