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Malta's
service to the British Empire as a naval base
is well documented. Malta nobly served during
the two World Wars. During World War I, Malta
garrisoned English naval seamen and was the site
of the largest military hospital in the Mediterranean.
Due to its strategic position during World War
II, Malta was the target of German and Italian
bombing attacks. The island endured the heaviest
conventional bombardment of the entire war. To
honor the valor of the Maltese people, King George
VI awarded the George Cross to the "Island
Fortress of Malta" in 1942. The cross appears
today on the Maltese flag.
The structure
of government in Malta changed periodically during
the 150 years of British rule. In 1921, Malta
became self-governing while power and responsibility
was shared between Britain and Maltese ministers.
In 1936, Malta became a colonial regime. Malta
earned its independence within the Commonwealth
in 1964, became a Republic in 1974, and ended
its dependence on England in 1979 when it proclaimed
its neutrality.
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