Main dates of the Algerian War

1954 - 1er novembre : Launch of the War of Liberation by the CRUA (Revolutionary Committee for Unity and Action), later to become the FLN (National Liberation Front).

1955 : The Bandung Conference and its repercussions in countries still under colonial rule.

August 20 : Riots around Constantine lead to dozens of deaths in each community: the rift between the Algerians and the French community in Algeria is complete.

1956 February 6th : Violent demonstrations by the French community against Guy Mollet during an official visit to Algiers following his election as President to bring about peace (the Republican Front Programme). A turning point in French policy with the adoption of a war footing and the call-up of conscripts.

August 20th till September 19th : Soumam Congress: elaboration of the FLN's political platform.

October 22nd : interception of the plane carrying the FLN leaders, including Ben Bella, from Rabat to Tunis to meet the King of Morocco, Mohammed V, President Bourguiba of Tunisia and French emissaries. The FLN leaders are arrested in Algiers and transferred to France.

November 2nd to 5th : Israel, France and Britain launch action against Egypt following the nationalisation of the Suez canal.

November 15th : The Algerian problem is entered on the agenda of the UN general assembly.

May : Strike by Algerian high school and university students (UGEMA) to join the maquis and take part in the war of liberation.


1957 January 28th : 8-day strike launched by the FLN in anticipation of the UN debate on the Algerian problem. This marks the start of the Battle of Algiers.

February 25th : Larbi Ben M'hida arrest and murder in Algiers.

May 26 : Assassination in Paris of the former Vice-President of the Algerian Assembly: Ali Chekkal.

October : Inauguration of the electrified fence along the border between Algeria and Tunisia, the so-called "Morice Line".

1958 February 8th : The French airforce bombs Sakiet Sidi Youcef, a Tunisian village and a base for the FLN and the ALN (Algerian Liberation Army).

May 13th : Insurrection in Algiers. Formation of the Committee for Public Safety chaired by General Massu. Call put out to De Gaulle.

June 1st : Investiture of General de Gaulle as President.

September 19 : Formation of the first Algerian government in Cairo, presided by Ferhat Abbas (GPRA)

1959 September 16th : Proclamation of the right of the Algerian people to self-determination.

1960 January 24th till 31st : Week of barricades. Army intervention against the French community in Algeria.

September 5th to October 1st : Trial in Paris of the FLN support network known as the "Jeanson Network".

September 6th : Publication of the Manifesto of the "121" concerning the right to avoid the draft in the Algerian War.

December 11th : Demonstrations by Algerians in Algiers for Algerian independence (dozens of dead).

1961 January 8th : Referendum in France on De Gaulle's Algerian policy (75.25% for)

April 22nd : Putsch in Algiers. Failure of the generals rebelling against De Gaulle.

May 20th : Start of the Evian Conference.

August 5th : Series of OAS attacks in Algeria and France (Organisation of the Secret Army of the French community of Algeria opposed to De Gaulle's policy).

October 17th : Brutally repressed demonstration of Algerians in Paris against the curfew (dozens of dead).

1962 February 8th : Anti-OAS demonstration - 8 dead and 150 wounded at the Charonne metro station in Paris.

March 15th : Assassination in Algiers of the writer Mouloud Feraoun.

March 18th : Signature of the Evian Agreement. Release of Ben Bella and his companions.

March 19th : Proclamation of the cease-fire in Algeria.

May 19th : Exodus of the French community from Algeria.

July 1st : Referendum in Algeria: Algerian independence is approved by 99.72% of recorded votes.

July 5th : National Independence Day.