A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

MALTA

Fri, 21 Jun '24
Island that's home to Popeye Village, a film-set-turned-theme-park
Fri, 23 Feb '24
Home of the prehistoric Ggantija temples
Mon, 8 Jan '24
Island nation south of Sicily
Sun, 31 Jul '22
Smallest country in the E.U., by area
Tue, 31 May '22
Country in the Mediterranean
Tue, 4 Jan '22
Island nation south of Sicily
Wed, 24 Nov '21
Member of the British Commonwealth in the Mediterranean
Wed, 10 Feb '21
European country with a cross on its flag