History : When beauties competed under the Moroccan flag in international beauty pageants

In the 50s, 60s and 70s, several beauties competed under the Moroccan flag in international beauty pageants. Jacqueline Dorella Bonilla was the first Miss Morocco to end as one of the semifinalists in Miss Universe.

Robert Adams, the account of the first American man to visit Timbuktu as a Moroccan slave

Captured and enslaved in Morocco, Robert Adams is the first American man to visit Timbuktu. His account was told in a narrative, published in 1816 in London.

History : When Muammar Gaddafi angered king Mohammed VI by calling him «my son»

At the beginning of the 21st century, Morocco and Libya worked on strengthening their bilateral ties. In 2001, King Mohammed VI visited Tripoli, where he met Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The latter, however, was rude to the Moroccan monarch whom he called «my son».

William Willshire, the British vice consul who redeemed Western sailors enslaved in Morocco

Sent to Morocco to serve as a British vice consul to Mogador, William Willshire was known for redeeming Western Sailors captured by Moroccans and enslaved in the Kingdom. His kindness was mentioned in several historical accounts.

Ahmed El Inglizi, the 18th century English renegade who built parts of Essaouira

In the 18th century, English convert Ahmed El Inglizi was hired by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdellah to build parts of Essaouira. The architect, who left Christianity for Islam, was known for refurbishing Rabat’s ancient Medina and joining corsairs in Salé.

The macabre portrait of Marrakech by George Orwell

Also known as George Orwell, Eric Arthur Blair has depicted a macabre portrait of the city of Marrakech. In reality, it is more about colonialism than about Morocco.

Ali Hassani, the Moroccan tumbler kidnapped by a circus troupe

Ali Hassani was a famous acrobat and circus man in England. He had his own performances and circus, but his story started in Marrakech, where he was kidnapped as a kid by a Spanish troupe.

History : When Morocco wanted the US Air Force to pull out of the Nouasseur Air Base

In 1951, the US built three military facilities in Morocco including the Nouasseur Air Base, now known as Mohammed V international airport. The Kingdom demanded Americans to pull out of the bases on its territory after it gained independence.

Bekkay I, the story of the first and the shortest government in Morocco

In December 1955, Morocco had its first government led by M'Barek Bekkay. The latter led another government before his cabinet was replaced by the one of Ahmed Balafrej.

The Last Temptation of Christ, when Scorsese shot an unusual version of Jesus’ life in Morocco

In 1987, American filmmaker Martin Scorsese chose Morocco among Tunisia and Israel for the shooting of his controversial movie «The Last Temptation of Christ». He opted for Moulay Ismail’s seventeenth century royal stables, the Roman ruins in Volubilis and a deserted village near Marrakech.