Independence Manifesto Day in Morocco commemorates the 1944 signing of the Independence Manifesto, when Moroccan nationalists formally demanded independence from French colonial rule and the restoration of national sovereignty.

When is Independence Manifesto Day?

Independence Manifesto Day in Morocco is observed on January 11 every year.

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

The History of Independence Manifesto Day?

In 1912, Morocco became a French protectorate under the Treaty of Fez, with parts of the country also under Spanish control. Over the next three decades, Moroccan national identity and calls for self-determination grew stronger, especially as global movements for independence gained momentum.

On January 11, 1944, a group of 66 Moroccan nationalists from the Istiqlal (Independence) Party and other movements signed the Independence Manifesto. The manifesto was delivered to the French authorities, the Allied embassies, and the Moroccan Sultan.

The French authorities responded harshly, arresting many of the signatories and attempting to suppress nationalist activities. However, Sultan Mohammed V expressed support for the independence movement, strengthening his bond with the Moroccan people. The arrests sparked mass protests and uprisings across the country, fueling the broader independence struggle.

The movement gained momentum throughout the 1940s and early 1950s. In 1953, the French exiled Sultan Mohammed V to Madagascar, but this only intensified national resistance.

Under growing internal and international pressure, France eventually negotiated Morocco's independence. On March 2, 1956, Morocco officially regained its sovereignty.

Independence Manifesto Day is observed each year on January 11 as a national holiday in Morocco. It honors the courage of the 66 signatories and the unity between the Sultan and the Moroccan people. The holiday represents not only the struggle for independence but also the birth of modern Moroccan nationalism.