France observed its National Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Algerian War and the battles in Tunisia and Morocco on March 19, 2026. The date marks the anniversary of the 1962 ceasefire that ended the Algerian War, a conflict fought from 1954 to 1962.
President Emmanuel Macron led the main ceremony at the Monument to the War in Algeria and the battles in Tunisia and Morocco on the Quai Branly in Paris. He laid a wreath and observed a minute of silence to honor the soldiers, civilians, and harkis (Algerians who fought for France) who died during the conflict and its aftermath.
Similar ceremonies were held in towns and cities across France. The day is intended to promote reconciliation and pay tribute to all those affected by the war, which led to Algeria's independence. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life on all sides, though exact figures remain contested by historians.
The commemoration occurs amid ongoing efforts by France to address the legacy of its colonial past in Algeria. In recent years, the government has taken steps to recognize the suffering of harkis and to open archives related to the war.
