Algeria Revolution Day (November 1): History of the 1954 Revolution

Revolution Day (Eid al-Thawra, عيد الثورة) on November 1 is one of Algeria’s two great national holidays. It marks the night of November 1, 1954, when the National Liberation Front (FLN) launched coordinated attacks across Algeria, beginning the War of Independence against French colonial rule. Eight years later, on July 5, 1962, Algeria became independent.

Summary
Date	November 1 every year
Arabic name	عيد الثورة — Anniversary of the Revolution
Marks	Start of the Algerian War of Independence (1954)
Led by	Front de Libération Nationale (FLN)
Independence Day	July 5, 1962
Holiday type	National public holiday
Symbol	Maqam Echahid (Martyrs’ Memorial), Algiers

Background: 132 Years of Colonial Rule

France invaded Algiers in 1830 and gradually took control of the whole country. Algeria was later declared an integral part of France, and hundreds of thousands of European settlers took the best land. Most Algerian Muslims had very limited political rights. Resistance was constant — from Emir Abdelkader in the 1830s–1840s to the nationalist parties of the 20th century.

The Night of November 1, 1954

A small group of young nationalists — often called the “historic six” or the founders of the FLN, including Mostefa Ben Boulaïd, Larbi Ben M’hidi, Didouche Mourad, Mohamed Boudiaf, Rabah Bitat and Krim Belkacem — planned simultaneous attacks on military and police posts across the country. The same night they issued the Proclamation of November 1, calling for national independence and the restoration of a sovereign Algerian state.

Timeline of the War of Independence

Date	Event
November 1, 1954	FLN begins the armed struggle
August 20, 1955	Uprisings in the Constantine region (Philippeville)
August 20, 1956	Soummam Congress organises the revolution
1957	Battle of Algiers
1958	Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA) formed
March 18, 1962	Évian Accords signed; ceasefire the next day
July 1, 1962	Referendum: Algerians vote overwhelmingly for independence
July 5, 1962	Independence declared

The war was extremely costly. Algerian sources honour 1.5 million martyrs, and Algeria is often called “the land of a million and a half martyrs”; historians’ estimates of the total death toll vary widely.

How Revolution Day Is Observed

• Official ceremonies at midnight on October 31 and on November 1, including the raising of the flag and a minute of silence.
• Wreaths at Maqam Echahid in Algiers and at martyrs’ cemeteries across the country.
• Presidential pardons are often announced on national occasions.
• Television documentaries, films and patriotic songs.
• Green, white and red flags on homes and public buildings.
• Family gatherings with couscous, chorba and traditional sweets.

Algeria’s National Holidays

Holiday	Date
Amazigh New Year (Yennayer)	January 12
Independence Day	July 5
Revolution Day	November 1

👉 Plan ahead: All November holidays

Frequently Asked Questions