The rise of nationalism rarely occurs immediately, and in Morocco, it took a considerable amount of time. In 1912, the North African nation inked a treaty with France and Spain that marked the beginning of its modern history.
On August 20, Morocco celebrates the Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, a day that commemorates the country’s heroic struggle for independence from colonial rule. This story is fundamentally about the unbreakable bond between a beloved king and his subjects. It was a relationship that sparked a revolution, as the monarch and the people united against the brutal French imperialism. August 20 is more than a commemoration. It is the anniversary of Morocco’s liberation and the start of modernity, development, and democracy.
The rise of nationalism rarely occurs immediately, and in Morocco, it took a considerable amount of time. In 1912, the North African nation inked a treaty with France and Spain that marked the beginning of its modern history. Morocco didn’t realise the extent of the agreement’s impact on French colonial ambitions at the time, but it did undermine French colonial ambitions. The guarantee? Moroccan sovereignty masquerading as a French protectorate.
The subsequent 44 years were spent in colonisation. Under French colonial control, Morocco’s autonomy and identity suffered. The colonial abuse of power nearly annihilated Morocco’s rich culture and history by depleting the country’s natural resources. However, the Moroccan character remained unconquered. Colonial oppression merely bolstered national identity and stoked the flames of justice and democracy. The national crisis unified the Moroccan people, who resisted French authority unitedly. Many rebelled and armed themselves. The revolution began in Fez and spread like wildfire across the country. The French repression of the resistance was vicious.
King Mohammed V of Morocco soon became a symbol of optimism for the country. He fought ardently for the abolition of the protectorate agreement in favour of independence. With each speech and public address, his position as king of the people grew firmer. Threatened by the king’s influence and legitimate claim to govern Morocco, the French attempted to remove him on multiple occasions.
The French military forces presented an order to depose King Mohammed V on August 20, 1953. France was completely unprepared for what transpired because it grossly underestimated the affection of the people for the monarch. A day that was intended to be a blow to Moroccan prestige resulted in revolutionary calls. Thousands of Moroccans went to the streets in support of their king and to fight for independence. The French were confronted with strikes, protests, and demonstrations, the beginnings of a powerful resistance that ultimately liberated Morocco from colonial rule and reinstated Mohammed V as its rightful sovereign.
The city’s structures are constructed from a striking crimson clay.
On the streets of Marrakech, it is common to hear individuals speaking Arabic, French, and Moroccan Berber.
Yves Saint Laurent’s romance with Marrakech began in the magnificent gardens of ‘The Jardin Majorelle.’
There are palm trees all over the city, both inside and outside, and frequently in unusual places such as inside structures.
Marrakech and Scottsdale, Arizona became sister communities in 2012 due to climate, topography, and golf management similarities.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | August 20 | Sunday |
| 2024 | August 20 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | August 20 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | August 20 | Thursday |
| 2027 | August 20 | Friday |
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