Today Is March 26

The Independence Day of Bangladesh is a national holiday that takes place ever March 26. It commemorates the country's declaration of independence from Pakistan in the early hours of March 26, 1971 by the leader of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh Indepednce Day celebration By Sajeeb Ahmed Photography

Present-day Bangladesh was formed into the eastern province of Pakistan when India was partitioned 1947.

Substantially different in culture, language, and geography from Western Pakistan, East Pakistan resented their political and military dominance. A movement for political autonomy gained strength as a result of West Pakistan's indifference, when flooding killed 500,000 in East Pakistan in 1970.

The Bangladesh Liberation War began after the Pakistani military junta based in West Pakistan launched Operation Searchlight against the people of East Pakistan on the night of March 25, 1971. It pursued the systematic elimination of nationalist Bengali civilians, students, intelligentsia, religious minorities and armed personnel and resulted in the flight of 10 million East Pakistani refugees to India.

The violent crackdown by the Pakistan Army led to Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declaring East Pakistan's independence as the state of Bangladesh the following day