On the 1st of September 1920, General Gouraud, High Commissioner of the French Republic and Commander in Chief of the French Levantine Army (1919 – 1923) proclaimed the independence of Greater Lebanon.
The 1st of September would continue to be celebrated for the next 23 years until 1943, when it was changed to November 22nd.

Gouraud was appointed the first high commissioner to the Levant from 1919 to 1922 succeeded by Robert de Caix from 1922 to 1923.