On September 3, Monaco will commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation from Italian and German occupation during World War II. This year’s ceremonies, spearheaded by HSH Prince Albert, will particularly honor the critical role of the American forces in the liberation effort.
The 1st Airborne Task Force, led by General Robert T. Frederick, was instrumental in pushing back German troops after landing in Provence on August 15, 1944. In tribute, Monaco has funded a bronze statue of General Frederick, unveiled on August 14 in La Motte, Var. Additionally, a commemorative postage stamp featuring the general’s likeness was issued on August 15. General Frederick’s grandson, Bradford Hicks, will attend Monaco’s national commemoration.
The day’s events will commence with a military ceremony at 17:00 at the Monaco cemetery, where Prince Albert will speak before a monument dedicated to those lost in the 20th-century conflicts. The ceremony will feature Monegasque, French, and American military detachments.
At 18:00, a flower-laying ceremony will honor Monegasque resistance fighter René Borghini and his liaison officer Esther Poggio, executed on August 15, 1944. Following this, the Sovereign Prince will inaugurate the exhibition Monaco Libéré! 3 septembre-28 décembre 1944, curated by the Mission de Préfiguration des Archives Nationales, the Archives du Palais Princier, and the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco, in collaboration with the Médiathèque de Monaco. The exhibition, open until January 31, 2025, aims to educate and engage the public.
Throughout the day, the Period Commemoration Committee will host street activities, including displays of historical uniforms, equipment, vintage vehicles, and a memorial trail from Avenue Saint-Laurent to Place du Palais, passing key sites such as the Maison de France and Lycée Albert I.
Additional commemorative events will continue through spring 2025, organized by the Monaco Media Library, the Monaco Audiovisual Institute, the Directorate of National Education, Youth and Sports, and the Devoir de Mémoire association.
