History: Modern Malta

 No wonder, when in 1798, Napoleon entered Valletta he commented that he prefer to see the English occupying Montmartre (the heart of Paris) than occupying the island of Malta. This ended 268 years of rule by the knights of St. John and Malta was destined to become a typical Department of France.

However, French rule was short-lived. By 1800 the Maltese rose against the French and asked Nelson for help and together they succeeded in driving the French garrison out of Malta.

The Maltese sought the protection of the British throne. It was the beginning of the British rule here, lasting 160 years. In 1964, Malta became independent and in 1974 it became a Republic within the Commonwealth. Since the 1st of May 2004 Malta forms part of the European Union.