frican residents of the city, describing a situation in which "the 'civilised' live like rats in holes" whereas "the 'barbarians' live in solitude, in well-being".However, these plans were ultimately ignored by the French administration.
During World War II, Algiers was the last city to be seized from the Germans by the Allies during Operation Torch.
City and harbour of Algiers, c. 1921
In 1962, after a bloody independence struggle in which hundreds of thousands (estimates range between 500,000 to 1,500,000) died (mostly Algerians but also French and Pieds-Noirs) at the hands of the French Army and the Algerian Front de Libération Nationale, Algeria finally gained its independence, with Algiers as its capital. Since then, despite losing its entire pied-noir population, the city has expanded massively. It now has about five million inhabitants, or 10 percent of Algeria's population—and its suburbs now cover most of the surrounding Mitidja plain.
During the early French colonial years, a bronze cannon that weighed twelve tons and was built in 1542 was taken by the French in 1830. This cannon was not any ordinary cannon. This cannon was the most powerful in the Mediterranean, and had defended Algiers for two centuries. The cannon originally named Merzoug Baba was renamed by the French to the 'consular'. This was in reference to two French consuls, who became attached and intrigued by the muzzle of the cannon. This cannon is regarded more than just a symbol by Algerians and the state is trying to secure its return back to Algiers, in time for the fiftieth anniversary of independence, 182 years of its absence.
Algiers was the host city for both the 1978 and 2007 All-Africa Games. The city was also designated the Arab Capital of Culture for 2007.
Algerian War
Coat of arms of French Algiers
Algiers also played a pivotal role in the Algerian War (1954–1962), particularly during the Battle of Algiers
