Misplaced Pages

Independence Day
The first flag of the independent Bangladesh, which was subsequently replaced by the current version.
Official name	Independence and National Day
Observed by	Bangladesh
Type	National holiday
Celebrations	Flag hoisting, parades, award ceremonies, singing patriotic songs and the national anthem, speeches by the President and the Prime Minister, entertainment and cultural programs.
Date	26 March
Next time	26 March 2025 (2025-03-26)
Frequency	Annual
First time	26 March 1972 (52 years ago) (1972-03-26)

Independence and National Day (Bengali: স্বাধীনতা ও জাতীয় দিবস Sbādhīnôtā Ō Jātīẏô Dibôs) is celebrated on 26 March as a national holiday in Bangladesh. It commemorates the country's declaration of independence from Pakistan in the early hours of 26 March 1971.

History of 26 March

In the 1970 Pakistani general election, under the military government of President Yahya Khan, the largest political party Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a clear majority in East Pakistan national seats as well as provincial assembly. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto conspired with Yahya Khan and changed their position, refusing to hand over power to Sheikh Mujib. Negotiations began between the two sides, however the ruling West Pakistani leadership did not trust Sheikh Mujib, due to instances such as the Agartala 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 his famous speech at the Ramna Racecourse, in which he called for a non-cooperation movement.

Authorities, mostly West Pakistani personnel, rounded up Bengali armed forces officers, NCOs, and enlisted personnel. Forced disappearences went rampant. On 25th night the Pakistan Army began Operation Searchlight, conclusively signalling West Pakistan was not ready for a transfer of political power to the Awami League led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Independence of Bangladesh was declared on 26 March 1971 (After midnight 12 am, 25 March) at the first watch by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman . Then it was read out at first M.A Hannan and then by Major Ziaur Rahman, on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Radio Station on 27 March, 1971. Major Zia (who was also a BDF Sector Commander of Sector 1 and later of Sector 11) raised an independent Z Force brigade, Chittagong and the guerrilla struggle officially began. The people of Bangladesh then took part in a nine-month guerrilla war against the Pakistan Army and their collaborators, including paramilitary Razakars. This resulted in the death of about 3 million Bangladeshi, as per Awami league and Indian sources, in the Bangladesh War of Independence and Bangladesh Genocide. The BDF, later with military support from India, defeated the Pakistan Army on 16 December 1971, leading to the end of the war and the Surrender of Pakistan.

Celebrations

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-one gun salute may be conducted in the morning. The main streets are decorated with national flags. Different political parties and socioeconomic organizations undertake programs to mark the day in a befitting manner, including paying respects at National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar near Dhaka.

Google displayed a doodle commemorating the Independence Day of Bangladesh on 26 March 2017 on their bd domain. The same year celebrations were organised in Tripura, India, by Bangladesh deputy high commissioner stationed there.

2021 marked the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

Independence Award

The Independence Day Award, which is bestowed upon Bangladeshi citizens or organizations on the eve of the Independence Day, is awarded by the government of Bangladesh. This annual award, instituted in 1977, is given for substantial contribution in the Independence War, the Language Movement, education, literature, journalism, public service, science-technology, medical science, social science, music, games and sports, fine arts, rural development, and other fields.

In 2016, a total of 15 renowned personalities were honored with the independence award, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their respective fields. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the awards at a program held at the capital's Osmani Memorial Auditorium. The awardees are- the then Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, former Jute and Textiles Minister M Imazuddin Pramanik, late Moulvi Asmat Ali Khan, Squadron Leader (retd) Badrul Alam, former police super Shaheed Shah Abdul Mazid, M Abdul Ali, AKM Abdur Rouf, KM Shihab Uddin, Syed Hasan Imam, late Rafiqul Islam, Abdus Salam, late Prof Dr Maksudul Alam, Dr Mohammad Rafi Khan, Poet Nirmalendu Goon, Rezwana Chowdhury Banya.

Ten renowned personalities and an organization were awarded the Independence Award-2020. They were: Golam Dastagir Gazi MP, Commander Abdur Rouf (posthumous), Md Anwar Pasha (posthumous), Azizur Rahman, Prof Dr Md Obaidul Kabir Chowdhury, Prof Dr AKMA Muqtadir, SM Raij Uddin Ahmed, Kalipada Das, Ferdousi Mazumder, and Bharateswari Homes.

On the other hand, the government awarded nine individuals and one institution for Independence Award-2021. AKM Bazlur Rahman, Shaheed Ahsanullah Master, Brig Gen (retd) Khurshid Uddin Ahmed, and Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu were the recipients then, while other awardees include Dr Mrinmoy Guha Neogi, Mohadev Saha, Ataur Rahman, Gazi Mazharul Anwar, and Dr M Amjad Hossain.

See also

• History of Bangladesh (1947–1971)
• Bangladesh Liberation War
• The Blood telegram
• East Bengal
• Bengali Genocide Remembrance Day

References

1. "Bangladesh Awami League". Banglapedia. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
2. ^ "Declaration of Independence". Banglapedia. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
3. "The emergence of Bangladesh". The Daily Star. 21 March 2017. Archived from the original on 17 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
4. "Operation Searchlight". Banglapedia. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
5. "Bangabandhu Shadhinota Ghoshonar Telegraphic Barta". BDNews24. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
6. সংযোজনস্বাধীনতার ঘোষণা: বেলাল মোহাম্মদের সাক্ষাৎকার. bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
8. "March 27, 1971: Zia makes radio announcement on independence on be half of Sheikh Mujib". The Daily Star. 26 March 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
9. "Radio Interview". YouTube. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
10. "Bangladesh remembers martyrs on 46th Independence Day". Canindia News. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
11. Ziauddin Choudhury (16 December 2007). "Remembering December 16, 1971". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
12. ^ "Bangladesh Air Force, 15 individuals win Independence Award 2017". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
13. "Google Doodle celebrates Bangladesh's Independence Day". Dhaka Tribune. 26 March 2017. Archived from the original on 17 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
14. "Bangladesh's Independence Day observed in Tripura". The Daily Star. 1 April 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
15. "Bangladesh set to celebrate Independence Day Friday UNB". Dhaka Tribune. 25 March 2021. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
16. "Bangladesh Air Force, 15 individuals win Independence Award 2017". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
17. "Air Force, 15 personalities get Independence Award". Dhaka Tribune. 23 March 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
18. "National Awards". Banglapedia. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
19. UNB, Dhaka (24 March 2016). "15 personalities, Navy receive Independence Award". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
20. "10 named for Independence Award". Dhaka Tribune. 20 February 2020. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.

v t e Public holidays in Bangladesh
National	Independence Day Language Martyrs' Day Victory Day
International	May Day
Religious	Buddho Purnima Christmas Durga Puja Eid-e-Miladun-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet) Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of Fastbreaking) Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)
Cultural	Pohela Boishakh (Bangla New Year's Day)

v t e Bangladesh Liberation War
Ministry of Liberation War Affairs Timeline
Origins of the Bangladeshi Revolution Philosophy Bengali Renaissance Muslim nationalism in South Asia Two-nation theory Bengali nationalism Bengal studies Bangamata Joy Bangla Pakistan Movement Partition of Bengal (1905) Eastern Bengal and Assam All-India Muslim League Indian independence movement Pakistan Movement Lahore Resolution United Bengal Muslim National Guard Direct Action Day Noakhali riots Partition of India Partition of Bengal (1947) East Pakistan Dominion of Pakistan East Bengal Pakistan Muslim League Objectives Resolution All Pakistan Awami Muslim League Awami League United Front Bengali language movement One Unit East Pakistan Constitution of Pakistan of 1956 1958 Pakistani coup d'état Constitution of Pakistan of 1962 Bengali self-determination Swadhin Bangla Biplobi Parishad Six point movement Agartala Conspiracy Case 1969 uprising in East Pakistan 1970 Bhola cyclone 1970 Pakistani general election Declaration of war Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's speech of 7 March Non-cooperation movement Rodionov message Admiral Ahsan Mission Operation Searchlight Proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence
Combatants Campaigns Theaters Battles Events Massacres Combatants Bangladesh Provisional Government of Bangladesh Mukti Bahini Bangladesh Army K Force S Force Z Force Bangladesh Navy Bangladesh Air Force Bangladesh Rifles Bangladesh Ansar Bangladesh Police Special Guerrilla Forces Gono Bahini Mujib Bahini Kader Bahini Baten Bahini Afsar Bahini Hemayet Bahini Crack Platoon Pakistan Pakistan Armed Forces Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines Jamaat-e-Islami Central Peace Committee Razakars Al-Badr Al-Shams Indian allies Parliament of India Indian Armed Forces Army, Navy, Air Force Mitro Bahini (Indo-Bangali group) Campaigns and theaters Pakistan Eastern Command Operation Searchlight Order of Battle Operation Barisal Cable 1971 Sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War Military plans of the Bangladesh Liberation War Eastern Command (India) Meghna Heli Bridge Operation Jackpot Mutiny on PNS Mangro in Toulon Operation Python Operation Trident Pakistan Army order of battle, December 1971 Mitro Bahini Order of Battle December 1971 Sinking of PNS Ghazi East Pakistan Air Operations, 1971 Operation Chengiz Khan Operation Cactus-Lilly Major battles Battle of Daruin Battle of Rangamati-Mahalchari waterway Battle of Goalhati Battle of Dhalai Outpost Battle of Dhalai Battle of Ajmiriganj Battle of Garibpur Battle of Hilli Battle of Longewala Battle of Basantar Battle of Kushtia Battle of Boyra Battle of Atgram Other events Blood Telegram Bangladesh genocide 1971 killing of Bengali intellectuals Rape during the Bangladesh Liberation War Refugees in India Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra Shadhin Bangla Football Team The Concert for Bangladesh Album Film List of massacres 1971 Dhaka University massacre Shankharibazar massacre Ramna massacre Sutrapur massacre Jinjira massacre Akhira massacre Jathibhanga massacre Demra massacre Chuknagar massacre Madhyapara massacre Bakhrabad massacre Burunga massacre Sohagpur massacre more Related conflicts Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971
Leaders Bangladesh Military M. A. G. Osmani Ziaur Rahman Khaled Mosharraf K M Shafiullah Shafaat Jamil A. K. Khandker Muhammad Hamidullah Khan Matiur Rahman Civilian Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Syed Nazrul Islam Tajuddin Ahmad AHM Qamaruzzaman Muhammad Hamidullah Khan Serajul Alam Khan Dhirendranath Datta Kazi Nuruzzaman Chitta Ranjan Dutta Muhammad Mansur Ali Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad M. A. Hannan Abu Sayeed Chowdhury Pakistan Military Yahya Khan Tikka Khan S.M. Ahsan A.K. Niazi Yaqub Ali Khan Mohammad Shariff Rao Farman Ali A.O. Mitha Khadim Hussain Mitty Masud Ahmad Zamir Inamul Haque Siddique Salik K.M. Arif Civilian Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Dr. Abdul Motaleb Malik Nurul Amin Shah Azizur Rahman Ghulam Azam Motiur Rahman Nizami J.A. Rahim Tridev Roy Indian allies Military Sam Manekshaw S. M. Nanda P. C. Lal Jagjit Singh Aurora K. P. Candeth Gopal Gurunath Bewoor Sourendra Nath Kohli Nilakanta Krishnan Minoo Merwan Engineer Hari Chand Dewan Sagat Singh T. N. Raina Khem Karan Singh Sartaj Singh Inderjit Singh Gill J. F. R. Jacob E. C. Kuruvila S. H. Sarma Civilian Indira Gandhi V. V. Giri Gopal Swarup Pathak Rameshwar Kao Swaran Singh Jagjivan Ram Dilip Mahalanabis
Aftermath Pakistani Instrument of Surrender International recognition of Bangladesh Simla Agreement Delhi Agreement Stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh Hamoodur Rahman Commission War Report 1971 Prisoners of War Investigation Bangladeshi nationalism Bangladesh–India relations Indira-Mujib Treaty 2001 Indo-Bangla skirmishes Deaths along the Bangladesh–India border Bangladesh–Pakistan relations 2013 Pakistan Embassy siege 2015 Expulsion of Pakistani diplomats from Dhaka
Related topics Categories Commemoration Monuments and memorials National Martyrs' Memorial Martyred Intellectuals Memorial Swadhinata Stambha Liberation War Memorial Trust Liberation War Museum Bangladesh Police Liberation War Museum Aparajeyo Bangla Shabash Bangladesh Anniversaries Bengali Genocide Remembrance Day Independence Day (Bangladesh) Armed Forces Day (Bangladesh) Martyred Intellectuals Day Victory day of Bangladesh Vijay Diwas (India) Decorations and depictions Muktijuddho e-Archive Artistic depictions Awards and decorations Trials 2013 Shahbag protests Movement demanding trial of war criminals International Crimes Tribunal timeline War Crimes Fact Finding Committee Categories Liberation War Genocide Aftermath Films Causes and prelude Battles Peoples Military personnel

• Independence of Bangladesh
• Public holidays in Bangladesh
• Independence days
• March observances
• Spring events in Bangladesh
• Bangladeshi flag flying days