National Mourning Day in Bangladesh

When did the National Mourning Day in Bangladesh start?

The first recorded date of National Mourning Day in Bangladesh being celebrated on August 15 was in the year 1974.

About National Mourning Day in Bangladesh Holiday

National Mourning Day in Bangladesh is an annual, nationwide observance held on August 15. This day is dedicated to remembering and honoring the sacrifices of the country's national heroes, most notably the martyrs of the Bangladeshi Liberation War in 1971. On this solemn day, Bangladeshis pay respects to those who gave their lives for the sake of the nation’s autonomy.

This holiday is primarily a memorial day, with no specific activities associated with it. However, it is a popular time for the nation to reflect on its history and development as a country. Flags on all public buildings are flown at half-mast, and the President, Prime Minister and other political figures pay their respects to the martyrs with a gathering in Dhaka. Through this event, civilians are reminded of the price that was paid for national freedom, and come together in unity for the nation.

National Mourning Day, Bangladesh, August 15 – Introduction

National Mourning Day is observed every year in Bangladesh on August 15th to honor and remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives during the Liberation War of 1971. This solemn day is observed as a mark of respect and gratitude for the martyrs of the Bangladesh Liberation War and commemorates the hard-fought battle for independence from Pakistan. It is also a day of reflection for the nation’s citizens, to remember and appreciate their hard-earned freedom and the sacrifices made by their heroes.

Historical Context

The drive for independence in the eastern part of Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh, began in March 1971 with a political movement led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Rahman sought to assert greater autonomy and increased representation for the people of East Pakistan. However, the West Pakistani government– at that time, the nation of Pakistan was composed of two distinct regions– responded aggressively, attempting to repress the movement and asserting its control through military force.

This culminated in the Bangladesh Liberation War, which lasted a full nine months before independence was won in December 1971. During this time, violence and bloodshed were rampant in both East and West Pakistan; the West Pakistani military, in particular, committed numerous atrocities against those who sought to secede. Reports of mass murder, rape, and other war crimes were rampant, and, in the end, an estimated 3 million people in Bangladesh lost their lives during the conflict.

In memory of these soldiers, civilians, and innocent people, August 15th was declared the official National Mourning Day in Bangladesh, with ceremonies of remembrance held throughout the country each year since.

Celebrations

On National Mourning Day, Bangladeshis from all walks of life come together to commemorate the nation’s struggle for independence and the millions of lives that were lost along the way. The day begins with a program of national mourning, featuring a 21-gun salute, a parade, and a moment of silence.

Often, the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh will attend this ceremony and make speeches of tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War. The flags of both Bangladesh and Pakistan are lowered to half-mast, and the nations’ citizens observe a two-minute silence in respect.

Citizens then typically pay their respects to the martyrs of the war by visiting memorial sites, such as the National Memorial and the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial. These memorials represent a physical remembrance of the sacrifices made during the war and are a focal point for National Mourning Day celebrations.

Somber music and poems commemorating the war are often performed in public squares and within private homes. Traditional ceremonies like Wreath-laying, Candle-lighting, and Pigeons-releasing are also common, and are used to signify peace, justice, and honour.

Conclusion

National Mourning Day in Bangladesh is a time for the citizens of this nation to come together and remember a shared experience, one of unity and strength in the face of adversity. This day of remembrance is a way to honour and respect those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom, and it serves as a reminder of a nation’s hard-fought battle for independence.

How to Say "National Mourning Day in Bangladesh" In Different Languages?

Aboriginal English
Naionalim Moouin Dei (xa-XA-AU)
Arabic
اليوم الوطني للحداد (ar-SD)
Bulgarian
Национален субота на сътраданието (bg-BG)
Cree
ᑰᔭᐅᔭᐅ ᒋᐢᑫᓀᔔᓐ ᑲᔑᓂᐃ ᐊᒥ (cr-Cans-CA)
Dutch
Nationaal Rouw Dag (nl-NL)
Estonian
Ehituspüha (et-ET)
Finnish
Vastuuntunto päivä (fi-FI)
Hindi
राष्ट्रीय शोक दिवस (hi-IN)
Japanese
国民喪失の日 (ja-JP)
Malay
Hari Kenangan Besar Negara (ms-MY)
Nahuatl
Tonitehcuih Ahmanaliztli Nemoaya (nah-MX)
Polish
Narodowy Dzień Żałoby (pl-PL)
Russian
Национальный День Траура (ru-RU)
Shona
Kusvikira Mhenyu Moyo (sn-ZW)
Swedish
Nationella Dagen för Sorge (sv-SE)
Taiwanese
國家哀悼日 (zh-Hant-TW)
Urdu
قومی انتظار کے دن (ur-PK)
Vietnamese
Ngày lễ Quốc kỳ để phiêu lưu (vi-VN)
National Mourning Day in Bangladesh Also Called
Shahid Dibas (Martyrs' Day).
Countries where "National Mourning Day in Bangladesh" is celebrated:

FUN FACT:
In year 1974, National Mourning Day in Bangladesh is celebrated on August 15 for the first time.

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