| Independence Day | |
|---|---|
.svg) The first flag of the independent Bangladesh, which was subsequently replaced bythe current flag. | |
| Official name | Independence and National Day |
| Observed by | Bangladesh |
| Type | National holiday |
| Celebrations | Flag hoisting, parades,award ceremonies, singing patriotic songs andthe national anthem, speeches by thePresident and thePrime Minister, entertainment and cultural programs. |
| Date | 26 March |
| Next time | 26 March 2026 (2026-03) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 26 March 1972 (53 years ago) (1972-03-26) |
Independence Day, officiallyIndependence and National Day,[a] is celebrated on 26 March as a national holiday inBangladesh. It commemorates the country'sdeclaration of independence fromPakistan in the early hours of 26 March 1971 following Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan'sOperation Searchlight, eventual defeat and theSurrender of Pakistan.
In the1970 Pakistani general election, held under the military government of PresidentYahya Khan, theAwami League—led bySheikh Mujibur Rahman—won a clear majority in both the national and provincial assemblies ofEast Pakistan.Zulfikar Ali Bhutto conspired with Yahya Khan and changed their position, refusing to hand over power to Sheikh Mujib.[1] Negotiations began between the two sides, however the ruling West Pakistani leadership did not trust Sheikh Mujib, due to instances such as theAgartala conspiracy case. When it became evident that the promises made by the West Pakistan government were not going to be kept, many East Pakistani Bangla-speaking Muslims and Hindus began a spirited struggle for independence. On 7 March 1971, Sheikh Mujib gave hisfamous speech at the Ramna Racecourse, in which he called for anon-cooperation movement.[2]
Authorities, mostly West Pakistani personnel, rounded up Bengali armed forces officers,NCOs, and enlisted personnel. Forced disappearances were rampant. On the night of 25 March, thePakistan Army beganOperation Searchlight,[3] conclusively signalling West Pakistan was not ready for a transfer of political power to the Awami League led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[4]
The independence of Bangladesh was declared on 26 March 1971 at the first watch (00:00) bySheikh Mujibur Rahman .[5][6][7] Then it was read out at first M.A Hannan and then by MajorZiaur Rahman, on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Radio Station on 27 March, 1971.[8] Major Zia (who was also a BDF Sector Commander of Sector 1 and later of Sector 11) raised an independent Z Force brigade,[9] Chittagong and the guerrilla struggle officially began.[2] The people of Bangladesh then took part in a nine-month guerrilla war against the Pakistan Army and their collaborators, including the paramilitaryRazakars. This resulted in the death of about 3 million Bangladeshi, as per Awami league and Indian sources, in theBangladesh War of Independence andBangladesh Genocide.[10] TheBDF, later with military support from India, defeated the Pakistan Army on 16 December 1971, leading to the end of the war and theSurrender of Pakistan.[11]
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Independence Day is commonly associated with parades, political speeches, fairs, concerts, ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history and traditions of Bangladesh. TV and radio stations broadcast special programs and patriotic songs in honor of Independence Day. A thirty-onegun salute may be conducted in the morning.[12] The main streets are decorated withnational flags. Different political parties and socioeconomic organizations undertake programs to mark the day in a befitting manner, including paying respects atNational Martyrs' Memorial atSavar nearDhaka.[12]
Google displayed a doodle commemorating the Independence Day of Bangladesh on 26 March 2017 on theirbd domain.[13] The same year celebrations were organised in Tripura, India, by Bangladesh deputy high commissioner stationed there.[14]
2021 marked theGolden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.[15]
TheIndependence Award, which is bestowed upon Bangladeshi citizens or organizations on the eve of the Independence Day, is awarded by the government of Bangladesh.[16][17] This annual award, instituted in 1977, is given for substantial contribution in theIndependence War, theLanguage Movement, education, literature, journalism,public service, science-technology, medical science,social science, music, games and sports, fine arts, rural development, and other fields.[18]
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