On this day 69 years ago, on March 2, 1956 (January 20, 1956 lunar calendar), France recognized the independence of the Kingdom of Morocco. Since the 15th century, Western powers have invaded one after another. In October 1904, France and Spain signed an agreement to divide up the sphere of influence in Morocco. On March 30, 1912, it became a "protectorate" of France. On November 27 of the same year, France and Spain signed the "Madrid Treaty", and the northern narrow area of Morocco and the southern Ifni area were divided into Spanish protectorates. In February 1921, a large-scale peasant uprising broke out in the Rif area of northern Morocco. After the establishment of the "Federal Republic of the Rif Tribes" in 1924, it was brutally suppressed by the French and Western Union troops. In 1947, Sultan Mohammed V of Morocco demanded independence and changed the protection system. In August 1953, France deposed Mohammed V and established Arafa as Sultan. In November 1955, France was forced to agree to Mohammed V's return to the throne. On March 2, 1956, France recognized Morocco's independence, and on April 7 of the same year, Spain also recognized Morocco's independence and gave up its protectorate in Morocco. On August 14, 1957, the country was officially named the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Sultan was renamed the King. Morocco finally gained independence. In February 1961, Mohammed V died, and in March his son, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, succeeded him as Hassan II.