Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People

The Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People is observed on August 20 in Morocco. This national occasion commemorates the powerful unity between the Moroccan people and King Mohammed V during a pivotal period in the country’s struggle for independence.

The observance recalls the King’s exile in 1953 by French authorities and the widespread resistance that followed. His return in 1955 became a defining moment of national solidarity and helped pave the way for Morocco’s independence. On August 20, Moroccans honor the courage, loyalty, and shared determination that shaped the nation’s modern history.

The **Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People**, observed on **August 20**, commemorates a decisive episode in Morocco’s struggle against French colonial rule. On August 20, 1953, Sultan Mohammed V was deposed and sent into exile by the French authorities, who installed a more compliant ruler, Mohammed Ben Aarafa, in his place. Mohammed V’s removal provoked widespread opposition because many Moroccans regarded him as a symbol of national unity and sovereignty.

The exile transformed resistance to colonial rule into a broad popular movement. Demonstrations, political organizing, strikes, and acts of armed resistance spread across the country, while support for Mohammed V continued among communities in Morocco and abroad. Rather than weakening the monarchy’s position, the forced deposition deepened the connection between the sultan and the Moroccan independence movement. The crisis also contributed to growing international pressure on France to resolve the Moroccan question.

Mohammed V returned to Morocco in November 1955 after negotiations concerning the country’s future, and Morocco achieved independence in 1956. In the years that followed, August 20 became an official national observance honoring both the monarch’s role and the sacrifices of ordinary Moroccans who resisted colonial rule. The word “revolution” in the holiday’s name therefore refers not only to political opposition but also to the collective mobilization of the Moroccan people in defense of national sovereignty.

The observance has evolved into a remembrance of solidarity between the throne and the population. Ceremonies, speeches, educational programs, and media coverage commonly emphasize patriotism, independence, and the historical partnership represented by “the King and the People.” Its annual observance on **August 20** keeps alive the memory of the 1953 crisis and presents the independence struggle as a defining chapter in modern Moroccan history.