We may not be able to name all 50 states in the US, but from today onwards the Maltese are unlikely to forget Michigan. Why? Well, for starters it’s home to the first Maltese-American state representative. 

Darrin Camilleri, a Democrat, has recently felt a greater connection to his homeland, as he worked towards a resolution that decreed the 21st of September as the Maltese-American Heritage Day; the date coinciding with Malta’s own independence celebrations earlier last week. 

But how did this come about? Well, Michigan is home to the largest Maltese-American community in the states.

Addressing a group of Maltese-Americans, State Rep. Camilleri explained how the locale of Metro Detroit (a major metropolitan area in Michigan) is home to around 13,000 citizens claiming Maltese descent, making it the largest such area in the United States.

“Maltese-Americans have enhanced our culture, quality of life and economic vitality through their leadership, commitment to work and study, and dedication to their communities,” added Camilleri. 

Special tributes were also presented by State Rep. Camilleri to the Maltese-American Community Club of Dearborn and the Maltese-American Benevolent Society of Detroit, with Camilleri highlighting the need to celebrate the contribution of the organisations.

“[They] have been committed to the advancement of Maltese culture and Maltese-American people for generations. We come together today to celebrate these contributions, and the contributions of Maltese-Americans from across Michigan.”

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Matthew Baldacchino

Self-titled resident SJW and expressionless in-house Head of Internal Marketing. Matt loves prepping vegan and vegetarian food, consumes way too much coffee, and has an unhealthy penchant for storyboarded Instagram Stories. When he's not trying to figure out social media policies, marketing strategies or cracking SEO conundrums, you can catch him as the host of Basically, Livestream Of Consciousness or Lovin Daily. Hit him up if you've got a story about the environment, arts and culture, health, politics and activism, or LGBTQI+ issues. He's also a doctor, but we don't talk about that.