Prehistory
Before 5,000 BC
First settlers arrive in Malta. The earliest temples are built from 4,800 BC.
Sculptures in the Gozo Archaeological Museum.
Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications
3,200 BC
The megalithic temples of Hagar Qim, Ggantija and Mnajdra are built. They survive today as the oldest free-standing edifices in the world.
c.2,000 BC
The Bronze Age.
c.700 BC
Hellenic influence begins.
c.800–480 BC
The Phoenicians settle on the islands and use their safe harbours as a trading post.
c.480–218 BC
Carthage conquers Malta.
The Roman Period
218 BC
A Roman expedition captures Malta and incorporates the islands into the Republic of Rome.
AD 60
St Paul is shipwrecked in the area now known as St Paul’s Bay. He converts the islanders to Christianity.
AD 117–138
During Hadrian’s reign, Malta, is declared a Roman municipality.
Dark Ages to Arab Arrival
AD 395–535
Division of the Roman Empire and collapse of the western half (including Malta).
AD 535
Justinian, head of the eastern Roman Empire conquers Malta and Sicily in the name of Byzantium.
AD 870
The Aghlabite Arabs arrive. The Islamic religion is also adopted by the islanders.
Europeans Take Power
1090
The Normans invade under Count Roger. Arabic remains the national language but the islanders revert to Christianity.
1194–1266
After the Norman kings die out the island passes to the Swabian (German) kings.
1266–1283
The French House of Anjou drives out the Germans.
1283–1530
The Aragonese rule Malta and Sicily.
1479–1516
Affiliation of the houses of Castile and Aragon means that Malta becomes part of the new Spanish Empire.
The Knights of St John
1530
The 4,000-strong army of the Order of St John arrives to take formal possession of the islands.
1551
Corsairs from the Barbary Coast attack Gozo and enslave almost the entire population.
1561
The Inquisition is established in Malta.
1565
The Great Siege of Malta. For three months, Suleiman the Magnificent’s fleet lays siege to the Knights. Eventually help arrives from Sicily and the Ottoman forces are defeated.
1566
Urgent construction begins on Valletta. It becomes the finest fortified city in Europe.
1683
A century-long phase of consolidation and construction begins. However, with no enemies to fight, the Order of the Knights declines into decadence.
1789
The French Revolution weakens the already faltering Order.
Napoleonic Period
1798
Napoleon takes Malta without a fight.
1800
The Maltese rise against French domination and seek outside help. Britain and Naples intercede. French force capitulates.
The British Influence
1802
Peace of Amiens decides that Malta should be returned to the Order of St John, but the Maltese vote to come under the protection of the British. At the 1814 Treaty of Paris, Malta formally becomes a British Crown Colony.
1850 onwards
Malta experiences an economic upswing as a trading harbour and an important British naval base.
1914–18
World War I. Malta becomes known as the “Nurse of the Mediterranean”.
1919
The Sette Giugno riots. An angry crowd riots in Valletta, causing troops to be called in. Four Maltese in the crowd are shot.
1921
Self-government is granted. The first Malta Parliament is opened.
Commemoration of the George Cross awarded to Malta.
Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications
World War II 1940–43
Malta receives most severe aerial bombardment in its history while undergoing its second Great Siege. In 1942, in recognition of their inhabitants’ heroism, Britain awards the islands the George Cross.
Post-War Period
1947
Self-government restored.
1964
Malta becomes an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations.
1972
An agreement is signed with Britain and Nato to use the islands as a military base.
1974
Malta officially becomes a republic but remains within the Commonwealth.
1979
The last British forces leave the island.
1989
The Malta Summit. US President George Bush Snr and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev use the island as a meeting place to mark the end of the Cold War.
2003
Malta signs the full EU Accession Treaty in Athens for full EU membership in 2004.
2007
Pope Benedict proclaims Dun Gorg Preca the first-ever Maltese saint.
2008
The euro replaces Maltese currency. Nationalist Party narrowly re-elected.
2010
Works start on the milestone City Gate project, which will see the capital restored to its former glory for the first time since World War II.
2011
The parliament passes a bill allowing divorces following a national referendum on the issue.
2013
Labour Party wins snap elections and returns to power after 15 years.
2014
Hundreds of African migrants drown as their ship sinks off Malta coast.
2015
EU leaders meet in Valletta for a two-day summit to tackle the immigration crisis as waves of immigrants pour into the EU.
2016
The so-called Panama Papers reveal Malta was used to filter millions by shell companies set up by the notorious Mossak Fonseca law firm.
2018
Valletta is set to be the official European Capital of Culture.