What happened on... June 8

25 years ago - The Times
Wednesday, June 8, 1994

Sette Giugno commemoration
The 1919 bread riots were commemorated yesterday with personalities attending the ceremony being told by the Speaker of the House of Representatives that “efforts to introduce new systems in parliamentary work should be concluded as soon as possible”.
Dr Lawrence Gonzi, speaking about the meaning of the June 7, 1919 events, which have become known as the Sette Giugno, said they marked the birth of the first national assembly, “the first Maltese parliament composed of Maltese patriots who understood their responsibilities towards their country and its people”.
He also spoke of the duties of Parliament which he described as “unique but crucial for democracy”.
He said it was true that new systems in parliamentary work could bring about new problems “but this should not hold us back from taking the decisions we need to take, maybe even courageously, always with responsibility”.
Both sides of the House of Representatives, he said, were making a great contribution to the introduction of the changes.
The ceremony, held in St George’s Square, Valletta, was simple and short, but commemorating a significant...