PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9 (FN) - On 9 November 1953, Cambodia obtained its Independence from France, following a well-organized "Royal Crusade for Independence", organized by His Late Majesty the King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Preah Borom Rattanak Kaudh.

In this photograph, dated 9 November 1969, His Late Majesty presided over the traditional ceremony for the National Day at the Monument of Independence in Phnom Penh. This was the last time His Late Majesty presided over the ceremony, as in March 1970, General Lon Nol (who also appears in the photo, to the left of His Late Majesty), launched his coup d'état and Cambodia entered the most tragic period of his existence.
=FRESH NEWS