In June 1798, during a brief one-week stay in Valletta, Napoleon Bonaparte issued a series of sweeping reforms to integrate Malta into the French Republic.

In just ten orders comprising 98 articles, Napoleon sought to radically transform Maltese society. French was declared the official language, replacing Italian, and the Knights of St. John were dismissed from power.

The distinctive tricolour cockade, symbolising the French Revolution, was mandated for all citizens, marking a new era of governance.

One of the most significant changes was the abolition of slavery, a bold move that aligned Malta with revolutionary France's values of liberty and equality.

Napoleon also planned to overhaul the island’s educational system, proposing the establishment of 15 public schools to address Malta's poor educational infrastructure. These ambitious reforms, however, were short-lived.

The French rule faced fierce resistance from the Maltese population, leading to an insurrection in 1800.

Just two years after Napoleon's dramatic entrance, Malta fell under British control, bringing an end to French ambitions in the Mediterranean and beginning a new chapter in the island's history.

Did you know these interesting facts about Malta’s history?