Fortunato Mizzi

[4] Mizzi was instrumental to obtain liberal and progressive constitutional changes for the country during the colonial period, and is credited with starting the process which eventually led to Malta's independence.

[5] In 1871 Fortunato Mizzi married Maria Sofia (Marie Sophie) Folliero de Luna (Marseilles 17-II-1847 - Valletta 5-VIII-1903), daughter of Giuseppe, vice-consul of Naples.

The plaque was inaugurated in 1922 by then-Prime Minister Joseph Howard in the presence of Sir Filippo Sciberras, other members of the National Assembly and a very large crowd of supporters.

[7] On 8 June 1940 an anti-Italian protest, stirred by the unveiling of the bust of Fortunato Mizzi at the Pincio gardens in Rome the day before, destroyed the plaque in Valletta.

[4] A new lapide to Fortunato Mizzi was prepared in Italy, sculpted by Orlando Paladino Orlandini, made from white travertine marble, measuring 2 x 1.27 metres per 400 kg wight.