Independence day : Why do Moroccans celebrate the 18 of November ?

Although the kingdom was proclaimed an independent state on the 2nd of March, every year; Moroccans celebrate independence on the 18th of November. The latter commemorates King Mohammed V accession to the throne and his notorious speech delivered to announce the end of the French control.

When Juan Carlos wanted to cede Melilla to King Hassan II (CIA document)

In April 1979, Juan Carlos was ready to cede Melilla to Morocco and entrust Ceuta to the international tutelage. This decision was initiated by the American embassy resulting in a meeting between King Hassan II and an envoy sent by Jimmy Carter.

16th of October 1975 : When the Green March brought King Hassan II and the opposition together

During the reign of Hassan II, the Green March was a turning point in history of the Moroccan political scene. The initiative, announced on the 16th of October 1975, had clearly strengthened the sovereign’s power. Consequently, the opposition in the country offered to engage in the democratic process by abandoning the armed struggle.

In 1969, King Hassan II sent a message to the Moon

While stepping on the Moon for the first time, members of the Apollo 11 mission left a message of 73 leaders on the satellite. The message included a statement of King Hassan II, in which he saluted «the great brotherhood of men».

Jacques Chirac, Morocco’s long-time friend, dies aged 86

The story of Bugatti Baby, a child-sized car linked to the childhood of King Hassan II

The child-sized replica of the Bugatti Type 35 racecar, or Bugatti Baby, has a shared story with the childhood of King Hassan II. The car originally designed by Ettore Bugatti for his son Roland, was offered a few years later to the five-year-old prince.

March 3, 1973 : When young leftists wanted to overthrow King Hassan II’s regime

On March the 3rd, 1973, a group of young idealists from the National Union of Popular Forces (UNFP), manipulated by other parties, wanted to launch an armed movement against King Hassan II’s regime. The operation failed dramatically.

History : When Morocco modeled a Palestine’s airport after Mohammed V International Airport

After the signing of the Oslo II Agreement, an airport was built in Gaza. Modeled after Mohammed V International Airport, the facility, which ceased operation in 2001, was designed and constructed by Moroccan architects and engineers funded by King Hassan II.

Declassified memos reveal how Bill Clinton relied on Hassan II to help end the Chechnya war

In 1996, President Bill Clinton relied on King Hassan II to help Russia’s Boris Yeltsin end the Chechnya conflict. In a phone conversation, the two leaders spoke about Morocco’s valuable contribution.

9th of July 1966 : The first Compulsory military service in Morocco

On the 9th of June 1966, Morocco decided through a royal decree to apply conscription. A decision that forced all Moroccan men to undertake 18 months of compulsory military service. 40 years later, mandatory military service was abolished as it was hard to be carried properly.