On November 1, 1954, Algeria was still under French colonial rule when members of the pro-independence FLN carried out a series of attacks across the country, marking the beginning of the Algerian War. This date holds significant historical importance as it paved the way for Algeria’s eventual independence in 1962.
At the time, in France, there was little mention of war; the attacks were simply attributed to agitators and bandits. However, behind the scenes, a long and bloody conflict was unfolding as Algeria moved towards liberation. Coming on the heels of the loss of colonial Indochina, France was caught off guard by the growing momentum of the independence movement in Algeria, a country that was home to nearly a million Europeans.
Recently, a new chapter of this history was opened when French authorities officially recognized the execution of Larbi Ben M’hidi, one of the prominent leaders of the FLN, 67 years after his death. This acknowledgment sheds light on the sacrifices made by those who fought for Algeria’s freedom during this turbulent period.
FRANCE 24’s Karim Yahiaoui, Nessrine Benzebbouchi, and Lauren Bain delve into the significance of November 1, 1954, in both Algerian and colonial history, highlighting the pivotal role it played in shaping the future of the region.
