Google changed its logo today, celebrating Morocco’s Independence Day. The search engine giant paid tribute to the anniversary with a Doodle at the center of its homepage depicting the Moroccan flag.
Morocco’s Independence Day marks the nation’s liberation from over four decades of colonial rule in 1956.
Celebrations across Morocco on this day feature a multitude of festivities such as parades, concerts, and firework displays.
The day, which once marked King Mohammed V’s ascension to the throne in 1927, is now a celebration of the country’s long struggle to gain its independence from France and Spain’s colonial rule.
France and Spain’s colonialism in Morocco started on March 30, 1912, after the signing of the Treaty of Fez, which paved the way for the French protectorate and the partition of Moroccan territories between Paris and Madrid.
As Moroccans continued to resist French and Spanish colonialism, France exiled Sultan Mohammed V with his family members on the eve of Eid al-Adha in August 1953 to Corsica, and then to Madagascar in 1954. The Sultan had been working closely with the resistance movements.
The forced exile of the Sultan triggered widespread protests and acts of resistance. France finally yielded to the will of the Moroccan people and allowed the Sultan to return on November 16, 1955.
Two days after his return to the throne, the monarch made a famous speech in which he said: “We are delighted to announce the end of the trusteeship system and protectorate and the advent of freedom and independence.”
Google’s celebration of Morocco’s Independence Day has become a yearly tradition, in which the search engine is draped in the national colors.
Google “doodles” are decorative changes to the Google logo intended to commemorate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of renowned artists, scientists, and athletes.
Source: Moroccoworldnews
