The National Festivities committee marked Independence Day yesterday by laying wreaths at the monuments or graves of former Prime Ministers. Wreaths were laid at the foot of the monument dedicated to George Borg Olivier, who was Prime Minister when Malta obtained independence on 21 September 1964, Paul Boffa, Gerald Strickland and Ugo Mifsud. The ceremony continued at Santa Marija Addolorata cemetery, Paola at the tombs of Nerik Mizzi, Joseph Howard and Francesco Buhagiar.

Today the Armed Forces band will march with a guard of honour from Christ the King monument, down Republic Street, Valletta at 9.30am. A pontifical high Mass with Te Deum will take place in St John Co-Cathedral at 10am, to be followed by the laying of flowers at the Independence monument in Floriana. At 7pm a symphonic concert will be given by the National Orchestra at the Palace courtyard in Valletta.