Anniversary Of The Green March
The Anniversary of the Green March is celebrated annually on the 6th of November in Morocco. Also known as Green March Day, this holiday commemorates the anniversary of the Green March—a strategic mass demonstration that happened in November of 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 province, to Morocco. Over 350,000 Moroccans advanced into the Western Sahara territory. Morocco would gain control over the former Spanish Sahara and as of the writing of this holiday article, it continues to hold it to this day.
The History Of The Anniversary Of The Green March In Morocco
Since the late 19th century, Spain has 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 of 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 local peoples should be allowed to determine their own futures.
After the verdict, King Hassan II announced the organization of the Green March on October 16th of 1975. The aim was to liberate the Moroccan provinces from Spanish colonialism. On November 6th, 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’s a day off for the general public, and schools, businesses, and non-essential government offices are closed for the duration of the day. This is good because it allows many people to attend the football match at Sheikh Mohamed Laghdaf Stadium in Laayoune. Those who don’t attend the games, can always spend time with loved ones or enjoy some of the other activities across the country.
Morocco (National holiday) 
