The Green March of 1975: 350,000 Unarmed Moroccans
On 6 November 1975, King Hassan II sent 350,000 unarmed Moroccan civilians carrying flags and Qurans across the southern frontier — the Green March that pressured Spain to leave the Sahara.
The march
Volunteers from across Morocco gathered in the south and walked peacefully into the territory, framed as a reclamation of land tied historically to the Moroccan throne.
The disciplined, non-violent character of the march captured global attention and put decisive pressure on Madrid.
The aftermath
Within weeks Spain signed the Madrid Accords and withdrew. The Green March became a founding national event, commemorated every 6 November.
It remains central to how Morocco narrates its sovereignty over the south.
Frequently asked
How many marched?
About 350,000 civilians.
Why is it called ‘green’?
Green is the color of Islam and of hope, not a military reference.
See it on the map: explore the full territory of Morocco — coast to Sahara — on our interactive map of Morocco →