State of Malta
Country from 1964 to 1974
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The State of Malta (Maltese: Stat ta’ Malta), commonly known as Malta, existed between 21 September 1964 and 13 December 1974. It is the predecessor to the modern-day Republic of Malta.
State of Malta Stat ta' Malta | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964–1974 | |||||||||
| Motto: Virtute et constantia (Latin) "Strength and persistence" | |||||||||
| Anthem: L-Innu Malti (Maltese) "The Maltese Hymn" | |||||||||
 Location of Malta in dark green | |||||||||
| Capital | Valletta | ||||||||
| Demonym | Maltese | ||||||||
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy | ||||||||
| Queen | |||||||||
• 1964–1974 | Elizabeth II | ||||||||
| Governor-General | |||||||||
• 1964–1971 | Maurice Henry Dorman | ||||||||
• 1971–1974 | Anthony Mamo | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1964–1971 | George Borg Olivier | ||||||||
• 1971–1974 | Dominic Mintoff | ||||||||
| Legislature | Parliament | ||||||||
| Historical era | Cold War | ||||||||
• Independence | 21 September 1964 | ||||||||
• Republic | 13 December 1974 | ||||||||
| Currency | Sterling (1964–1972) Maltese pound (1972–1974) | ||||||||
| |||||||||
The Crown Colony of Malta became independent under the Malta Independence Act 1964 (c. 86) passed by the British Parliament.[1] Under the new Constitution of Malta, approved in a referendum held in May of that year, Queen Elizabeth II became the Queen of 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:
- Giorgio Borġ Olivier (21 September 1964 – 21 June 1971)
- Dom Mintoff (21 June 1971 – 22 December 1984)
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.
