On May 8, 1945, a tragic and violent episode unfolded in Sétif, Algeria, when the celebrations marking the end of World War II turned into a massacre. Algerian civilians, who were initially gathering to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany, expressed their aspirations for independence from French colonial rule. The gathering escalated into protests against the colonial authority, highlighting the discontent among the Algerian populace regarding their marginalized status under French governance.

The French colonial administration, perceiving the protests as a threat, deployed military forces to quash the unrest. The situation escalated uncontrollably, resulting in the French Army opening fire on the crowds. Estimates suggest that hundreds of Algerian civilians were killed, while thousands more were subjected to violence. The ensuing crackdown was brutal; the military conducted house-to-house searches, leading to further killings and widespread terror.

The Sétif massacre marked a critical turning point in the relationship between Algeria and France. It catalyzed a more radical nationalist movement in Algeria, spurring calls for independence. The brutality exhibited during the incident solidified anti-colonial sentiments among Algerians and increased support for independence movements across the country. The massacre of May 8 would later be seen as one of the harbingers of the Algerian War of Independence that erupted in the late 1950s, leading to Algeria gaining its independence in 1962.