Malta Colonial Records

Order of Saint John Rule (1530-1798)
Malta was ruled by the Order of Saint John as a vassal state of the Kingdom of Sicily. Sicilian rule ceased when Napoleon invaded Malta in 1798.

French Colonization (1798-1800)
From 1798-1800, Napoleonic France occupied Malta. Malta was able to dispel French forces in 1800 with the assistance of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Naples, and the Kingdom of Sicily.

British Empire Colonization (1800-1964)
After the French were dispelled from Malta in 1800, Malta became a British protectorate, although it officially belonged to the Kingdom of Sicily. In 1815, it became a British Crown Colony. Malta became independent on 21 September 1964.