These are the true facts of what happened on that day of the 21st SEPTEMBER 1964 at the Floriana  Independence  arena at midnight.

On that day in 1964, I agree with what Professor Henry Frendo stated in his interview in today's Malta Independent to Kevin Schembri Orland that there were thousands upon thousands of people at Floriana Independence Arena. He also says that whilst there were a lot of loud cheers there was also some booing but the fact is that there were also many thousands of people who stayed silent and just looked on with no smiles on their faces.

I, Jean Agius at 16 years of age was present with Dr Anton Buttigieg and Lino Cassar and hundreds of other Labour supporters in the Floriana arena corner with the Phoenicia Hotel.

We witnessed it all, and just at midnight I saw a big commotion on the other section of the square and that is when the police on horseback suddenly savagely pushed upon  Dom Mintoff and his crowd.

By 3am in the morning the Labour supporters took over the whole of Valletta for two days running in protest at the attack and I was there amongst them.

And I am still proud of my being present there on that day.
Professor Henry Frendo as usual tried to describe the crowd as being totally jubilant but no the truth is that a very sizable crowd at midnight remained silent.

All one has to do is check all the local and British newspapers dated 21st and of 22nd/ 23rd of September 1964 and one will see historic photos of what had actually occurred.

At the same time now, I amongst many PL supporters of today, admire our PM Dr Joseph Muscat's genuine  praise for Dr Giorgio Borg Olivier's historic accomplishment for our country and thanks to our young dynamic PM he has now been the main political person to genuinely and publicly show that the 21st September 1964 is a national day for all the Maltese population.

The same goes for our Freedom Day and for Republic Day.

Jean Agius
Attard