Victory Day (Malta)
| Victory Day | |
|---|---|
Fireworks above Fort St. Angelo on Victory Day 2016, reminiscent of the bombings in World War II | |
| Also called | Il-Vitorja Il-Bambina |
| Observed by | Malta |
| Significance | In remembrance of the victories in the sieges of Malta of 1565, 1800 and 1943 |
| Date | 8 September |
| Next time | 8 September 2026 |
| Frequency | annual |
Victory Day (Maltese: Jum il-Vitorja) is a public holiday celebrated in Malta on 8 September and recalls the end of three historical sieges made on the Maltese archipelago – the Great Siege of Malta by the Ottoman Empire ending in 1565; the Siege of Valletta by the French Blockade ending in 1800; and the Siege of Malta during the Second World War by the Axis forces ending in 1943.
The day also coincides with the commemoration of the birth of the Virgin Mary, better known as the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated in the villages of Senglea, Naxxar and Mellieħa on the island of Malta, and Xagħra in Gozo; and the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the last colonial-era Maltese head of state. It is locally known as il-Vitorja (the Victory), il-Bambina (the Baby), and Otto Settembre (Italian for "8 September"). The traditional regatta featuring boat races in the Grand Harbour is held on Victory Day.