MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
On Wednesday Gibraltar celebrated its Birthday with a public holiday.
In 1704 the territory was captured by Admiral Rooke as part of a war which lasted thirteen years and was a reflection of the challenge to France as the dominant European power at the start of the eighteenth century.
The possession of Gibraltar gave the Royal Navy an advantage that helped England eventually displace France. Indeed Gibraltar became English before the United Kingdom was created by the Act of Union.
In the morning the Gibraltarians dressed in red and white to link hands around the rock in a show of unity and to exercise physically their claim to the territory.
Geoff Hoon, the British defence minister, arrived despite strong protests and fury from the Spanish Government. Also attending was First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West, the leader of the British opposition party Michael Howard and his deputy and shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram.
International mediator Terry Waite, a regular visitor to the Rock is also currently in Gibraltar to take part in a number of functions related to Gibraltar's Tercentenary.
In the evening there was a ceremony awarding the freedom of the City to the Royal Navy.
Chief Minister, Peter Caruana commented "The relationship between Britain and Gibraltar has thus been beneficial to both in manner that we form an important part of each other's heritage. It is no coincidence that, to this day, the Royal Marines cite just one battle honour on their colours, the single word "Gibraltar". Nor is it a coincidence that the Royal Engineers were born in Gibraltar. For the Royal Navy, for the army and (more recently) for the Royal Airforce, Gibraltar has been a _home from home_ base for centuries, resulting in the building of the famous dockyards and airfield, and miles upon miles of ramparts, bastions and tunnels, all of which now form such an important part of our heritage."
Despite complaints that the events in Gibraltar 'were offensive to Spanish sensitivities' their media was present in strength to cover the day with some five satellite trucks, including regional and national channels.
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