After a night of parties and fireworks, thousands of people in Gibraltar linked hands as they celebrated 300 years of British rule
Published:
5 August 2004 y., Thursday
After a night of parties and fireworks, thousands of people in Gibraltar linked hands as they celebrated 300 years of British rule, irking Spain which has long claimed the rocky territory.
British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and the head of the British navy were joining the festivities in what Madrid has denounced as an "unfriendly act".
"If Spain wants to get offended because we say that this is our Rock, so be it," Gibraltar's chief minister Peter Caruana said.
"But it is not our intention to offend anyone."
On the territory, a strategically vital gateway to the Mediterranean, the celebrations got underway overnight with music and all-night street parties.
At the stroke of midnight, a 15-minute fireworks display heralded the 300th anniversary.
In the morning, thousands of people started to form a massive human chain, holding hands, around the Rock in a demonstration intended to underline their allegiance to London.
Later in the day the House of Assembly, Gibraltar's parliament, was to make a formal declaration opposing any transfer of sovereignty to Spain.
The joint motion by the government and opposition is expected to win unanimous backing.
The climax of the festivities was to be a military parade in the evening at which the British Royal Navy, which helped capture Gibraltar on August 4, 1704, was to be conferred the freedom of the territory.
Šaltinis:
abc.net.au
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
75 years after Moscow first opened its underground train system, Muscovites can ride a restored vintage train.
more »
A glacier melt threatens to cause massive flooding and destroy a centuries old monastic fortress in the remote country of Bhutan.
more »
What do countries as geographically diverse as Saudi Arabia, Uganda and Jamaica have in common? All of them criminalised homosexuality.
more »
Human rights is a key issue for the European Parliament and MEPs Monday took a first look at what the European Union did last year, when they discussed the EU annual report on human rights in the world.
more »
Researchers found high levels of mecury in a Japenese dolphin-hunting town, but say the mecury has no ill effects.
more »
Crowds of Mexicans marched peacefully through the capital city on Saturday demanding the legalisation of marijuana.
more »
Prisoners are reported to have dramatic improvements in behaviour after pets are introduced in a new scheme.
more »
Israeli Ultra-Orthodox MPs are lining up against activists proposing a total ban on furs, saying traditional fur hats are an important part of their religious tradition.
more »
EU Member States should organise social protection, including at least 14 weeks' maternity allowance, for self-employed women and self-employed men's wives or life partners, in accordance with national laws, said the Women's Rights Committee on Tuesday.
more »
How are the European Parliament, the European Commission and other parts of the European Union supposed to interest people and explain their work?
more »