Hassan II and the Green March Legacy
King Hassan II's 1975 Green March is remembered as the masterstroke that brought the south back into the national fold, and it remains a defining moment of his reign.
The gambit
Facing Spain's withdrawal, Hassan II mobilized 350,000 civilians in a peaceful march that forced a settlement.
It fused monarchy and nation around the Saharan cause.
The legacy
Commemorated every 6 November, the march anchors national identity and the sovereignty narrative carried on by his son.
It is taught as a founding act of modern Morocco.
Frequently asked
Who led the Green March?
King Hassan II, in 1975.
Is it commemorated?
Yes, every 6 November.
See it on the map: explore the full territory of Morocco — coast to Sahara — on our interactive map of Morocco →