When Tunisians celebrate Evacuation Day, one name stands out — Bizerte, the coastal city that turned into an eternal symbol of sacrifice and courage in July 1961.
It was there, on its narrow streets and beaches, that Tunisians faced one of the fiercest battles against the remnants of French colonial forces, writing with their blood the final chapter of Tunisia’s freedom.
A City That Defied the Impossible
Bizerte was not just a French military base; it was a symbol of lingering colonial control even after independence in 1956.
When France refused to withdraw, the Battle of Bizerte erupted — fought by Tunisian soldiers and civilians side by side amid brutal bombardment that claimed hundreds of martyrs.
Their sacrifice was not in vain; it paved the way for new negotiations that ended with the departure of the last French soldier on October 15, 1963, marking Tunisia’s complete liberation.
A Legacy of Heroism
Today, Bizerte stands as a living national memory, a city that defined the meaning of freedom and gave the world a lesson in courage and unity.
From the women who supported the fighters to the young men who fell defending the gates of the base, Bizerte remains a timeless symbol of a nation that accepts no compromise on its dignity.
A Message to Future Generations
More than six decades later, the echoes of that battle remind new generations that independence is not granted — it is earned.
Defending sovereignty does not end with the withdrawal of foreign troops, but continues through the preservation of national will and collective memory.
Bizerte not only liberated the land — it liberated the Tunisian consciousness, proving that true dignity lies not in power, but in a people’s unwavering will to be free.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essafi)
