PHNOM PENH: On Friday afternoon, 11 November, His Majesty, King Norodom Sihamoni put out the victory fire that was lit on the 69th anniversary of national independence day, at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh.

The King of Cambodia extinguished the victory flame three days after it was lit on national independence day. Many high-ranking government officials, dignitaries, and ambassadors were present to witness the extinguishing ceremony.

The Independence Monument was built in 1958 to memorialize Cambodia’s full independence from French colonization. Cambodia was under French colonial rule from 11 August 1863 to 9 November 1953. The monument was designed by famed architect, Vann Molyvann, in the shape of an open lotus in the style of Angkor Wat. One document has noted that the 100 Naga heads in its structure represents the almost 100 years that Cambodia was under French influence.