It-8 ta’ Settembru: L-Ewwel Jum Nazzjonali

The exhibition '8 September: The First National Day' invites visitors to reflect on three formative historical events for the Maltese nation: the end of the Great Siege in 1565, the capitulation of the French in 1800, and the declaration of Italy’s armistice in the Second World War in 1943.

Open from Friday 29th August and running till Sunday 14th September 2025 in the Throne Room at the Grand Master's Palace, Valletta, this exhibition features a considerable number of artefacts from the national collection which will be exhibited together for the occasion.

Notable amongst these are original medals and coins from the time around the Great Siege – of which this year we commemorate the 460th anniversary, engravings and frescoes by Perez d'Aleccio depicting scenes from this historic battle, medals presented to Maltese heroes after the French blockade, a handwritten sonnet by the Maltese forces who fought against the French, and a collection of items relating to Italy’s exit from the Second World War.

Admission to this exhibition is included in the regular Grand Master's Palace ticket, which can be purchased both at the door and online: Grand Master's Palace - Heritage Malta.

You may also like the following events from Heritage Malta:

• This Thursday, 14th August, 09:00 am, Conservation and Our Planet in Attard
• This Saturday, 16th August, 09:00 am, Xlendi Tower Open Weekend in Victoria
• This Sunday, 17th August, 10:00 am, Filfla and Grand Harbour Day Cruise in Sliema

Also check out other Exhibitions in Valletta.