State of Malta
The State of Malta (Maltese: Stat ta’ Malta), known in common parlance as Malta, was the predecessor to the modern-day Republic of Malta. It existed between 21 September 1964 and 13 December 1974.
State of Malta Stat ta’ Malta | |||||||||
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1964–1974 | |||||||||
Motto: "Virtute et Constantia" "[By] virtue and constancy" | |||||||||
Anthem: The Maltese Hymn | |||||||||
Location of Malta in dark green | |||||||||
Capital | Valletta | ||||||||
Common languages | English Maltese | ||||||||
Government | Constitutional monarchy | ||||||||
Queen | |||||||||
• 1964–1974 | Elizabeth II | ||||||||
Governor-General | |||||||||
• 1964–1971 | Sir Maurice H. Dorman | ||||||||
• 1971–1974 | Sir Anthony Mamo | ||||||||
Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1964–1971 | George Borg Olivier | ||||||||
• 1971–1974 | Dom Mintoff | ||||||||
Legislature | Parliament | ||||||||
Historical era | Cold War | ||||||||
• Independence | 21 September 1964 | ||||||||
• Republic | 13 December 1974 | ||||||||
Area | |||||||||
1967 | 316 km2 (122 sq mi) | ||||||||
Population | |||||||||
• 1967 | 314,216 | ||||||||
Currency | Pound Sterling (1964–1972) Maltese Lira (1972–1974) | ||||||||
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The Crown Colony of Malta became independent under the Malta Independence Act 1964 passed by the British Parliament. Under the new Constitution of Malta, approved in a referendum held in May of that year, Queen Elizabeth II became Queen of Malta (Maltese: Reġina ta' Malta). Her constitutional roles were delegated to the Governor-General of Malta. Between 1964 and 1974, Elizabeth II visited Malta once, in November 1967.
Governors-General
The following Governors-General held office in Malta between 1964 and 1974:
- Sir Maurice Henry Dorman (21 September 1964 – 4 July 1971)
- Sir Anthony Mamo (4 July 1971 – 13 December 1974)
Prime Ministers
The following held office as Prime Minister (and head of government) of the State of Malta during this period:
- George Borg Olivier (September 21, 1964 – 21 June 1971)
- Dom Mintoff (21 June 1971 – 13 December 1974)
Transition to republic
On 13 December 1974, following amendments to the Constitution by the Labour government of Dom Mintoff, the monarchy was abolished and Malta became a republic within the Commonwealth with the function of head of state vested in a president appointed by Parliament. The last Governor-General, Sir Anthony Mamo, was appointed the first President of Malta.
References
- "Orders of the Day — Malta Independence Bill: 23 Jul 1964: House of Commons debates". TheyWorkForYou. 1964-07-23. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Malta Independence: 22 Jul 1964: House of Commons debates". TheyWorkForYou. 1964-07-22. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Malta Independence Act 1964". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "MALTA INDEPENDENCE BILL (Hansard, 28 July 1964)". Hansard.millbanksystems.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "MALTA REPUBLIC BILL [LORDS] (Hansard, 5 May 1975)". Hansard.millbanksystems.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "MALTA REPUBLIC BILL [H.L.] (Hansard, 20 March 1975)". Hansard.millbanksystems.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Malta Republic Act 1975". Legislation.gov.uk. 1974-12-13. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Malta: Polity Style: 1964-2017". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Malta: Heads of State: 1964-1974". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Malta: Governors-General: 1964-1974". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- Ben Cahoon. "Malta". Worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "STATE OF MALTA 01". Steno.webs.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.