Algeria will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its independence following 132 years of French colonial rule, the impact of which still reigns heavily over relations with Paris today, despite France's symbolic gestures.

On March 18th, 1962, after close to eight years of war between Algerian revolutionaries and the French colonial army, fighting ceased after the signing of the historic Evian accords, which paved the way toward the announcement of Algeria's independence on July 5 that same year. Algerians took part in a referendum a few days before the announcement, with 99.72% taking part to vote on their independence.

Read more: Algeria: Dotting the I’s in France’s colonial history

Algeria's authorities are preparing for large celebrations on the 60th anniversary, the most important of which is a large military parade in the capital, the first in 33 years.

In order to further highlight the importance of the occasion, a special logo was designed that has been featured on all television channels for weeks now.

According to the program, which was unveiled by the War Veterans Minister, there will be a huge art show on Monday at the Algerian Opera Hall.

The Algerian War of Independence left behind hundreds of thousands of dead, making Algeria the only former French colony in Africa that freed itself from France by force.