Anniversary Of The Green March
The Anniversary of the Green March is celebrated annually on November 6 in Morocco. Also known as Green March Day, this holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Green March—a strategic mass demonstration that occurred in November 1975.
Morocco (National holiday)This demonstration was coordinated by the Moroccan government to attempt to force Spain to hand over the province of Spanish Sahara, a disputed territory, to Morocco. Over 350,000 Moroccans advanced into the Western Sahara territory. Morocco gained control over the former Spanish Sahara and, as of the writing of this holiday article, continues to hold it to this day.
The History of the Anniversary of the Green March in Morocco
Since the late 19th century, Spain had occupied Western Sahara, but Morocco had made a claim on the land due to the allegiances of the Moroccan throne and local Sahrawi tribes. In October 1975, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared that there were legal ties of allegiance between the Moroccan throne and some portions of the Sahrawi tribe population.
However, they also determined that the local people should be allowed to determine their own futures. After the verdict, King Hassan II announced the organization of the Green March on October 16, 1975. The aim was to liberate the Moroccan provinces from Spanish colonialism.
On November 6, 1975, approximately 350,000 unarmed Moroccans and 20,000 Moroccan troops headed towards the Sahara. This would become the largest peaceful march in history.
Observing the Anniversary of the Green March
Since this is a national holiday, it is a day off for the general public, and schools, businesses, and non-essential government offices are closed for the day. This is beneficial because it allows many people to attend the football match at Sheikh Mohamed Laghdaf Stadium in Laayoune. Those who do not attend the games can always spend time with loved ones or enjoy some of the other activities across the country.
Morocco (National holiday)
