Independence Day in Morocco marks the country's liberation from French colonial rule in 1956 and the return of King Mohammed V, symbolizing national sovereignty, unity, and the rebirth of the modern Moroccan state.

When is Independence Day?

Independence Day in Morocco is celebrated on November 18 every year.

The following is the list of Independence Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Independence Day?

Morocco became a French protectorate in 1912 under the Treaty of Fez, which granted France administrative control while maintaining the Moroccan monarchy as a symbolic institution. Spain also controlled parts of northern and southern Morocco.

Although the monarchy was preserved, real power was held by the colonial administration, sparking widespread resistance movements and nationalist sentiment throughout the country.

The 1930s and 1940s saw the rise of Moroccan nationalist organizations, including the Independence Party, which called for independence and constitutional reform. The movement gained strength under Sultan Mohammed V, who became a symbol of unity and resistance against colonial rule.

On January 11, 1944, nationalist leaders issued the Independence Manifesto, formally demanding full independence and the restoration of sovereignty, a major milestone in Morocco's liberation struggle.

In 1953, France exiled Sultan Mohammed V and his family to Madagascar for refusing to collaborate with colonial authorities. His exile triggered mass protests, strikes, and armed uprisings across Morocco, uniting the people behind their monarch and the cause of independence. The uprising became known as the Revolution of the King and the People, a defining moment in Morocco's national history.

Facing growing resistance and international pressure, France agreed to negotiate. On November 16, 1955, King Mohammed V returned triumphantly to Morocco, greeted by millions of supporters. After further talks with French authorities, Morocco officially regained its independence on March 2, 1956, ending over four decades of colonial rule.

Although formal independence was achieved in March 1956, Morocco celebrates Independence Day on November 18, the anniversary of King Mohammed V's ascension to the throne in 1927. The date was chosen to honor both the monarch's role in achieving independence and the symbolic continuity of national sovereignty.

Independence Day represents the triumph of unity, resistance and national identity. It honors King Mohammed V's leadership, the courage of the Moroccan people, and the renewed sovereignty that laid the foundation for the modern Moroccan state.