International Literacy Day
A UNESCO observance focused on literacy, education, dignity, and opportunity.
Malta Edition
International Literacy Day leads today's complete edition for Malta.
Daily Edition
Official observances, world days, local context, and everyday celebrations for people who need something worth reading, sharing, or talking about today.
A UNESCO observance focused on literacy, education, dignity, and opportunity.
A day for the stories people inherit, correct, retell, laugh about, argue over, and pass along.
The anniversary of three victories: the Great Siege of 1565 (when the Knights of Malta defeated the Ottoman Empire), the French blockade of 1800 (when the Maltese expelled the French), and the end of the Siege of Malta in 1943 (when Malta was awarded the George Cross for bravery during World War II). The day is observed with a regatta in the Grand Harbour, and the rowing clubs compete in traditional Maltese boats. The regatta is a competition between the cities of Valletta, Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua, and the rivalry is fierce. The Great Siege of 1565 was one of the most important battles in European history, when 6,000 Knights and Maltese defenders held out against 40,000 Ottoman troops for three months. The victory saved Europe from Ottoman expansion, and the Knights built Valletta as a fortress city to defend the island from future attacks.