Republic Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Official Malta sources identify 13 December 1974 as the creation of the Republic of Malta and current government holiday guidance lists Republic Day as a National Holiday regulated by Chapter 252.
About Republic Day
Malta observes Republic Day, or Jum ir-Repubblika, on December 13. The day commemorates December 13, 1974, when Malta became a republic and the office of President replaced the monarch as head of state.
Republic Day is one of Malta’s National Holidays and is also a public holiday under the current national-holiday framework.
Why Republic Day matters
The observance marks Malta’s 1974 constitutional transition within the country’s broader sequence of national milestones, including Independence Day and Freedom Day.
It is a civic and constitutional commemoration. Descriptions of political history should remain neutral and avoid turning the observance into a judgment about present-day parties or leaders.
History of Republic Day
Malta gained independence in 1964 while retaining the monarch as head of state within the Commonwealth framework.
On December 13, 1974, Malta became a republic and Sir Anthony Mamo, who had been Governor-General, became the first President.
Current official national-festivities material continues to identify December 13 with the creation of the Republic of Malta.
Government of Malta holiday guidance lists December 13 as Republic Day and states that public holidays are regulated under the National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act, Chapter 252.
The reviewed official sources establish the 1974 constitutional event and current holiday status but do not establish the exact first recurring commemorative edition after 1974.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Parliament / State of Malta
1974 constitutional change creating the Republic of Malta
Maintains Republic Day on December 13 within Malta’s current National Holiday framework.
Republic of Malta · National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act (Chapter 252)
Government of Malta / National Festivities Committee and Office of the President
Official national-festivities and government pages administer Republic Day ceremonies and the national-holiday calendar.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
Malta Republic Day
How to Observe Republic Day
Use Malta government and official national-festivities sources to learn about the 1974 constitutional transition.
Attend official ceremonies or community events respectfully and follow current venue, transport and security guidance.
Distinguish Republic Day on December 13 from Malta’s Independence Day on September 21 and Freedom Day on March 31.
For employment or leave questions, consult current Department for Industrial and Employment Relations guidance rather than relying on generalized holiday assumptions.
At public ceremonies, respect privacy, accessibility needs and instructions around national symbols and official spaces.
Republic Day Facts
Republic Day is observed on December 13.
Malta became a republic on December 13, 1974.
Sir Anthony Mamo became Malta’s first President when the republic was created.
Current Government of Malta guidance classifies December 13 Republic Day as a National Holiday.
The current holiday framework is regulated by the National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act, Chapter 252.
Republic Day Messages
Wishing Malta a meaningful Republic Day on December 13.
May Jum ir-Repubblika be marked with respect for Malta’s constitutional history.
May Republic Day be observed with civic respect and appreciation for Malta’s national history.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Department for Industrial and Employment Relations — National and Public Holidays (opens in a new tab)
National Government Employment Guidance
Government of Malta — Public Holidays (opens in a new tab)
National Government Calendar
Festivals Malta — National Feasts / Republic Day history (opens in a new tab)
Official National Festivities History
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Republic Day?
13 December The documented recurrence rule is: 13 December.
Does Republic Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Republic Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Malta / national holiday. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Republic Day?
The reviewed sources identify Parliament / State of Malta as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Government of Malta / National Festivities Committee and Office of the President.
Is Republic Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to Malta. Its fuller verified scope is: Malta / national holiday.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-24.
When is Republic Day in Malta?
It is observed on December 13 each year.
What happened on December 13, 1974?
Malta became a republic and Sir Anthony Mamo became the first President.
Is Republic Day a National Holiday in Malta?
Yes. Current Government of Malta guidance lists December 13 Republic Day as a National Holiday under the national/public-holiday framework.
Is Republic Day the same as Malta Independence Day?
No. Independence Day is September 21 and Republic Day is December 13; they commemorate different constitutional milestones.
When was the first recurring Republic Day celebration held?
The reviewed official sources establish the 1974 republic transition and current annual holiday, but do not establish the exact first recurring commemorative edition, so that narrower lifecycle point remains unresolved.
Other observances on December 13
These observances are also listed on December 13, 2026.
National Cream Cheese Frosting Day
Arla Foods announced December 13 as the inaugural National Cream Cheese Frosting Day in 2018.
National Day of the Horse
The U.S. Senate agreed to S. Res. 452 designating December 13, 2004 as National Day of the Horse; the American Horse Council continues to recognize December 13 as National Day of the Horse.
National Guard Birthday
The National Guard identifies 13 December as its birthday.
Pick A Pathologist Pal Day
The first-party Wellcat Holidays calendar lists Pick A Pathologist Pal Day on December 13 and identifies the Wellcat Holidays collection as created by Thomas and Ruth Roy. The creator page…
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting
The Compassionate Friends; annual remembrance begun in 1997