General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, presided over a ceremony on November 5, 2026, celebrating the 73rd anniversaries of the founding of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and National Independence Day, marking a historic national occasion.
The ceremony commemorates November 9, 1953, when the Kingdom of Cambodia gained full independence from French colonial rule. It also recalls the founding of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, which play an important role in defending the country and its people.
The 73rd anniversary is also an occasion to remember and express gratitude to the monarch, forebears and military heroes who devoted their strength and spirit to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while continuing to promote patriotism and safeguard the country’s peace.
November 9, 1953, is a deeply significant date in Cambodian history. On that day, the Kingdom gained full independence after nearly 90 years under French rule, which had begun in 1863. The struggle was led by the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk through the campaign known as the Royal Crusade for Independence.
During the struggle for independence, King Norodom Sihanouk used diplomacy and negotiations with the French authorities and travelled to various countries to convey the Cambodian people’s desire to determine their country’s own destiny. Following sustained efforts and repeated negotiations, France agreed to grant Cambodia full independence on November 9, 1953. By: Sopheak
