Hear that?! Malta’s got its very own Heritage Day in the State of Michigan, as declared by Rep. Darrin Quiroz Camilleri, who is a Latino and Maltese-American national himself. Darrin is a Michigan House Democratic Whip and State Representative for the 23rd District who moved for this day to be approved last week.
“We recognise this day to honour Malta’s Independence which we are celebrating the 55th anniversary of this year. Although Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, it has had a large impact on our state and our country,” the former teacher says.
“Metro Detorit is home to the largest concentration of Maltese-American citizens in the United States,” he notes. “I am lucky and honoured to be the first Maltese-American to serve in this legislature and I’m thankful that we have a few other Maltese-Americans serving in public office as well, like Justice Brian Zahra, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, and maybe even a future President, Pete Buttigieg.”
Darrin goes on to mention the incredibly history Malta has in connection with Michigan and the US as a whole. “Maltese-Americans have had a long history in the United States, dating back to our founding. During the Revolutionary War, 1800 Maltese and Knights of the Order enlisted in the French Navy.” This was to assist the Americans in their war for independence.
He also mentions the reconstruction of Liberty Bell in Philadelphia which was undertaken by a recent immigrant to the US (and Maltese native), John Pace. And obviously, he mentions the pivotal role our islands had during World War II. “My nanna tells stories of the sheer destruction she saw as a teenager. But the island was resilient and beat back the German and Italian armies, helping us to secure a victory. FDR called Malta ‘a beacon of hope.’”
Darrin goes on to mention the meeting between President George H.W. Bush and Mikhaill Gorbachev held in Malta (particularly in the town of Marsaxlokk) to put an end to the Cold War. Having shared so much through history, Darrin says, “it is clear that freedom and opportunity are shared values that we have.”
“The Maltese diaspora is all over the world and we are proud of our home here in Michigan where many moved to find opportunity in our factories and build their families here. Colleagues, please join me in celebrating these contributions by supporting this resolution to declare September 19th as Maltese-American Heritage Day in the State of Michigan.”
Watch the moment here: