Among the numerous national events we are commemorating this year, one has not been duly given much importance.

The Treaty of Paris was signed on May 30, 1814, ending the war between France and the Sixth Coalition, which had commenced as the Napoleonic War, following an armistice signed on May 23 between Charles, Count of Artois, and the allies. Peace was established between France and the United Kingdom, Russia, Austria and Prussia and, later, also by Portugal, Sweden and Spain.

No matter which way you look at it, it was through this treaty of two centuries ago that Great Britain took sovereignty over Malta and its dependencies.