By Tim Lambert
Early Malta
5,200 BC Stone Age farmers arrive in Malta
3,600-2,500 BC The age of building temples in Malta
800 BC The Phoenicians from Lebanon sail to Malta
400 BC The city of Carthage in North Africa rules Malta
218 BC The Romans conquer Malta
c. 60 AD The missionary Paul is shipwrecked on Malta
870 The Arabs conquer Malta
1090 The Normans capture Malta
1266 The French capture Malta
1283 The kingdom of Aragon in Spain takes Malta
1412 The kingdom of Castile in Spain takes Malta. Later Aragon and Castile are united and Malta becomes part of the Spanish Empire.
1530 The Spanish king gives Malta to the Knights of St John
1562 The Inquisition is established in Malta
1565 The Turks lay siege to Malta but fail to capture it
1566 La Valette founds the city of Valletta
1574 The knights of St John begin building the Sacra Infermeria in Valletta
1634 New fortifications are built across the peninsula south of Valletta. They are designed by Pietro Paolo Floriani.
1693 Malta is badly damaged by an earthquake
1798 The French land in Malta
Modern Malta
1800 The French surrender to the British
1835 A Council of Government made up of prominent Maltese is formed to advise the British governor
1849 The Maltese are allowed to elect some representatives
1883 A railway opens from Valletta to Mdina
1887 The majority of members of the Council of Government are elected
1919 The Maltese riot
1921 Malta is given a new constitution and Joseph Howard becomes the first prime minister
1933 The constitution is revoked
1940 The Italians bomb Malta
1942 George VI awards the people of Malta the George Cross
1947 Malta is awarded another constitution
1964 Malta becomes independent
1974 Malta becomes a republic
1979 The last British servicemen leave Malta
1987 The Nationalist Party take power
2004 Malta joins the EU
2008 Malta joins the Euro
