The Organisation Armée Secrète (OAS), a clandestine group formed during the Algerian War of Independence, sought to maintain French colonial rule in Algeria. Their actions became increasingly violent as Algeria moved closer to independence. On this day, in a significant escalation, OAS operatives targeted the University of Algiers library, an institution that symbolized the Algerian struggle for intellectual and cultural autonomy. The inferno destroyed around 500,000 books, a devastating blow not only to the university but also to the preservation of Algerian history and scholarship.

The OAS's decision to target a cultural institution was particularly impactful. The library housed invaluable resources chronicling both Algerian and colonial histories, along with scholarly works contributing to the discourse of independence and identity. The loss was felt deeply within the academic community and along cultural sectors in Algeria. Students and faculty were not only outraged at the destruction but also galvanized to further their commitment to independence and educational reform. The incident served as a rallying point for those advocating against colonial oppression, reinforcing their resolve to continue the fight for sovereignty.

This arson was emblematic of the broader tensions in Algeria as the country struggled for its identity during a period marked by violent conflict. The incident highlighted the lengths to which OAS would go in order to counter the decolonization movement, as they recognized the power of education and knowledge in shaping the future of Algeria. The destruction had long-lasting repercussions on Algerian academic institutions and its cultural landscape as the nation embraced independence and sought to rebuild.