Wreaths were yesterday laid at the foot of monuments of seven former prime ministers to mark the 39th anniversary of Malta's independence, which falls today.

The wreaths were laid by National Festivities Committee chairman Nazju Abela and executive secretary Anton Miceli at the memorials of former prime ministers George Borg Olivier (1950-55, 1962-71), Paul Boffa (1947-50), Gerald Strickland (1927-30), Nerik Mizzi (1950), Ugo Mifsud (1924-27, 1932-33) Joseph Howard (1921-23) and Francesco Buhagiar (1923-24).

Today Malta and Gozo celebrate Independence Day with a full day of activities, starting with Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral at 9.30 a.m.

The Armed Forces band, accompanied by the guard of honour, leave from the monument of Christ the King in Floriana and arrive at the cathedral at 9.15 a.m. shortly before the arrival of the Prime Minister and the President.

After Mass, at 11 a.m., the band and guard of honour march down Great Siege Road to the Independence monument in Floriana where President de Marco and Dr Fenech Adami will lay wreaths.

The Armed Forces band will then go to Gozo at 5.30 p.m. where it will march from Savina Square, Victoria, to Independence Square, where the Prime Minister will lay flowers on a memorial. Finally, the National Orchestra will give a concert at the Palace in Valletta at 8.30 p.m., which will be broadcast live on TVM.