National Day of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

THE people and government of People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria celebrate today the 64th anniversary of Revolution Day (also referred to as Toussaint Rouge (Red All-Saints’ Day). It commemorates the day in 1954 when Algeria’s war of independence against French colonial rule was ignited. In March, 1954, the National Liberation front (Front de Libération-Nationale— (FLN) was created to lead the eventual launch of the country’s bid for independence on November 1, 1954. The FLN was the principal nationalist movement during the Algerian War and the sole legal and ruling political party of the Algerian state until other parties were legalized in 1989. On March 18, 1962, the French signed the “Evian Accords” that led to the Independence of Algeria.

Algeria is a country in the Maghreb (Northwest Africa) on the Mediterranean coast. It is bordered on the northeast by Tunisia, on the east by Libya, on the west by Morocco, on the southwest by the Western Saharan territory, Mauritania, and Mali, and on the southeast by Niger, On the north is the Mediterranean Sea. Algiers, its capital city, is known for its whitewashed buildings of the Kasbah, steep winding streets, Ottoman palaces, and a ruined citadel. Among its prominent features are the 17th century Ketchaoua Mosque which is flanked by huge minarets. The Kasbah of Algiers became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

Algeria maintains diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries. It held a nonpermanent, rotating seat on the UN Security Council from January, 2004, to December, 2005. It hosted 13 Arab leaders at the Arab League Summit in March, 2005.

We greet the people and government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria led by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, on the occasion of its National Day.