Morocco commemorates the Revolution of the King and the People

Wednesday 19 August 2026 - 13:02

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco commemorates the Revolution of the King and the People

Morocco is marking the 73rd anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, a major national commemoration associated with the country’s struggle for independence and the close relationship between the monarchy and the Moroccan population.

Observed every year on August 20, the occasion recalls the events of 1953, when Sultan Mohammed V and members of the royal family were exiled by the French protectorate authorities. His removal triggered widespread protests and strengthened the nationalist resistance rather than weakening it.

The anniversary is rooted in a broader history of resistance that developed after the establishment of the French protectorate in 1912. Armed confrontations took place in several parts of the country, while political activists gradually built a national movement demanding greater sovereignty and political rights.

The presentation of the Moroccan Independence Manifesto on January 11, 1944, marked an important stage in this political struggle. The document called for Morocco’s independence and reflected growing coordination between nationalist forces and the monarchy.

Another significant moment came during Mohammed V’s visit to Tangier in April 1947. His speech there publicly reaffirmed Morocco’s aspirations for independence and national unity, further strengthening his position as a symbol of the independence movement.

The decision to exile the monarch on August 20, 1953, was intended by the protectorate authorities to weaken the nationalist movement. Instead, it became a turning point. Demonstrations, acts of resistance and underground nationalist activities expanded across the country, while opposition to colonial rule intensified.

Among the figures associated with the resistance was Allal Ben Abdallah, who carried out an attack against the colonial authorities in September 1953. Resistance networks also operated in Casablanca and other Moroccan cities, while the Liberation Army began military operations in northern Morocco in October 1955.

Faced with growing pressure, France eventually entered negotiations with Moroccan representatives. Mohammed V returned to Morocco on November 16, 1955, marking the beginning of the final transition toward independence. Morocco formally regained its independence in 1956 and subsequently focused on building its national institutions and strengthening its sovereignty.

The post-independence period also included efforts to consolidate Morocco’s territorial unity. During the reign of King Hassan II, Morocco recovered territories including Tarfaya and Sidi Ifni, while the Green March of 1975 became one of the most significant events in the country’s modern political history.

Today, the Revolution of the King and the People remains an important part of Morocco’s national historical narrative. The anniversary is used to highlight themes of patriotism, sacrifice, national unity and continuity between the country’s independence struggle and its contemporary development.

Under King Mohammed VI, the commemoration is also presented as an opportunity to reflect on Morocco’s ongoing economic and social development, its national sovereignty and its role in regional and international affairs.

The 73rd anniversary therefore serves not only as a remembrance of the events of 1953, but also as a reminder of the historical sacrifices associated with Morocco’s independence. For many Moroccans, the occasion symbolizes the enduring connection between the monarchy and the people and the values of unity and national resilience.