France observed its National Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Algerian War and the Harkis tragedy on March 19, 2026. The date marks the anniversary of the 1962 ceasefire that ended the eight-year conflict.
Official ceremonies were held across the country, including at the national monument to the war in Paris. The day honors the memory of all civilians and soldiers who died during the war and in its aftermath, including the Harkis, Algerian Muslims who fought for France and faced reprisals.
President Emmanuel Macron presided over the main ceremony at the Invalides in Paris. In a speech, he emphasized the duty of memory and national reconciliation, acknowledging the suffering on all sides of the complex conflict.
The commemorations aim to foster a shared historical understanding of a war that deeply marked Franco-Algerian relations. The day was established by a 2003 law and has been observed annually since 2019 on March 19.
