On November 22nd 1943, the French mandate over Lebanon ended, after arduous times and courageous fights on the part of the Lebanese officials and people. The memory is immortalized on one of the commemorative stelae of Nahr el-Kalb, where there have been inscriptions of important events since 1500 BC. The Lebanese desired independence, and so it happened against all odds. True to our eternal values, we shall always have our heads held up high, reflecting the old morals and the brightness of the future in everything we do. Happy much deserved Independence Day, dearest Lebanon!