Monaco Commemorates 80th Anniversary of WWII Liberation with Special Tributes to American Forces

Monaco is set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation from Axis forces during World War II on Tuesday, September 3. His Serene Highness Prince Albert will oversee the ceremonies recognizing this pivotal moment in history, emphasizing the significant role the American military played. The remembrance activities will include the unveiling of a bronze statue of General Robert T. Frederick in La Motte, Var, acknowledging his leadership of the 1st Airborne Task Force which facilitated the German retreat in August 1944. Monaco also issued a commemorative postage stamp featuring General Frederick, with his grandson, Bradford Hicks, present for the national commemoration.

The observance will commence at 17:00 with a military ceremony at the Monaco cemetery, where Prince Albert will address attendees beside the monument honoring victims of 20th-century world conflicts. The ceremony will see participation from Monegasque, French, and American military detachments. This will be followed by a flower-laying at the National Council’s plaque honoring Monegasque resistance fighter René Borghini and Esther Poggio, who were executed on the same date in 1944. The Sovereign Prince will also inaugurate the "Monaco Libéré! 3 septembre-28 décembre 1944" exhibition at the Ministry of State, set to run until January 2025, developed in partnership with several local archives and educational bodies.

Activities will continue throughout the day organized by the Period Commemoration Committee, featuring historical displays and a memorial trail through key sites in Monaco, including Maison de France and Lycée Albert I. These events are part of a broader series of commemorative initiatives running until spring 2025, coordinated by the Monaco Media Library and other cultural and educational institutions, aiming to educate and engage the community in remembering the end of World War II in Europe and Monaco's own liberation story.