The International Mother Language Day is an important day in the history of Bangladesh.

Formerly it was known as 'Language Martyrs' Day', but now it has been recognized
internationally as the 'International Mother Language Day' on 17 November, 1999 by UNESCO.
At present this day is observed all over the world to show love for mother tongue. In our
country it is observed as a national mourning day. This is the day on which a lot of young
Bengalis laid down their lives to uphold the right of their mother language. Salam, Barkat,
Rafique, Zabbar including others were shot dead in the language movement procession
against the illegal ruling party of Pakistan. Every year we observe the day with profound
solemnity and great respect for the martyrs. Early in the morning the whole nation comes to
the martyrs' monument to pay homage and due respect to the departed souls. People of all
walks of life come here bare-footed in procession and offer flowers and wreaths to show
honour to the martyrs. The people there keep silent for some minutes in honour and
remembrance of the language martyrs. Government and non-government organizations
arrange programmes to celebrate the day. On the occasion national programmes are held that
are joined by the President, Prime Minister, and other high officials of government.
Newspapers publish special supplements on the occasion. Television channels and radio
stations broadcast special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. Prayer is held
in public prayer halls throughout the country for the salvation of the martyrs. This day inspire
the people to love their mother language. We should do everything to save the honour of our
mother language.

International Mother Language Day is celebrated every year on 21st February. The main purpose of
celebrating this day is to promote the awareness of language and cultural diversity all across the world. It was
first announced by UNESCO on November 17, 1999. Since then it is being celebrated every year. The date
represents the day 21st February 1952 when four young students were killed in Dhaka, the capital of
Bangladesh, because of Bengali and Urdu language controversy. Languages are the most powerful way to
preserve and develop culture and to promote it all across the world. Because of this unfortunate incident,
International Mother Language Day is celebrated in all over the world, while it is a public holiday in Bangladesh.

In the history of our country, people of the country have many days to remember. 21 st February is mentionable one. The
day is observed as the International Mother Language Day. It is a red letter day in our life. It has its own background. Our
Language day, “Omor Ekushe February” was declared as International Mother Language Day by the UNESCO On
November 17, 1999.This great occasion reminds us of those heroic sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives for the
establishment our mother tongue ‘Bangla’ as the state language in 1952. Rafiq, Salam, Jabbar, Barkat were among those
who sacrificed their lives for this great cause. On this day, at dawn people wearing black badges on their shoulders go to
the “Shaheed Minar” barefooted with flowers to pay homage to the martyrs. They sing the mournful song “Amar vaiyer
rokte rangano…….”. We observe the day to mark the importance of the day. It has great image and tradition in the country.
This is a national holiday. We observe this day with due honour and dignity. The day is celebrated with proper status and
amusement  all over the country. On the occasion of this day social, political and cultural organizations arrange different
cultural functions. Newspapers bring out special supplements while radio and satellite television channels air special
programmes. This day is a source of inspiration for us. We are proud of the day.  

Introduction: Every nation has some achievements that they can take pride.Our language day is our national
event and achievement.But the matter of pride for us is that this national event has crossed our national
boundary and become universalized.The International Mother Language Dayis the recognition of our language
movement and the heroic sacrifices of the language martyrs by the international community.Now,after the
recognition,our language day is observed globally as International Mother Language Day.
Language day: Historical background: February 21st is observed as the language day.This day is the
culmination of a serious of protest and events that took place between 1948 and 1952.After the independence
of Pakistan the ruling authority of west Pakistan recognized Urdu as the state language of Pakistan in 1948 and
tired to impose it on the Bangla-speaking majority people.Not only that they also denied the demand of the
Bangalis for the recognition of Bangla as the state language.
In 1952 protests erupted throughout East Pakistan against the imposition of Urdu and for the recognition of
Bangla as the state language of Pakistan. The ruling authority imposed section 144 all over the country as the
protest grew stronger. However,when students, politician and general masses brought out a procession
in Dhaka University area defying the section 144,the police charged fire on the procession.As a result,
Rafiq,Jabbar,Salam,Barkat;Shafiq met martyrdom. Finally,Bangla was recognized as the state language.Since
then,the day is observed throughout the country with solemnity and due homage.
International Observance of the day: On 17 November 1999, UNESCO, a specialized organisation of United
Nations (UN) recognized our language movement and sacrifices of the Martyrs.They declared that UNESCO
would observe the day internationally.Since 2000, The International Mother Language Day is being observed
all over the world.The recognition by the UNESCO and the observance of the day by the international
community has increased our national glory and uplifted the sacrifices of our language martyrs.Through
UNESCO recognition, our language day has got international status.
Significance of the recognition: The recognition of our language day and the proclamation of the observance of
the day internationally is very significant.UNESCO’s recognition is not simply a recognition of our language
movement, but it recognizes that is the birth right of every nation or race to speak in their own language.The
proclamation also said that this recognition would help to preserve all the languages of the world and that
diversity of languages is important to maintain cultural identity and distinction.
Importance of the day: Since 1952, the 21st February is observed as the language day in our country.We
remember our martyrs,their sacrifices and pay homage to the heroic souls who laid down their lives for the
cause of our mother tongue.We have erected monuments (known as Shahid Minar) in remembrance of them
and on 21 February we offer flower wreaths and stand silent in honor of them.
However,the importance of 21st February and it’s observance lies elsewhere.It is a sows the seed of our
liberation war.And importantly,the language movement teaches us that we have raise for achieving our rights,
for establishing our place of honor and dignity in the world.it teaches us not to bow down to any oppression.It
also inspires us to sacrifice our most treasured thing for sake of the country.So the importance of international
Mother Language Day is very significant.

Conclusion: We are the only nation of the world to sacrifice lives for mother tongue.International Mother
Language Day is a glorious recognition of our history and our achievement.international Mother language Day
highlights the importance of linguistic identity.We are really proud that we have achieve something that has got
global acceptance.

On the day when mother language anniversary is celebrated is known as the International Mother Language Day.
The 21st February is the International Mother Language Day. A good number of lives were sacrificed for saving and
establishing the mother language. So, the day has been declared as International 
On this day, people wake up early in the morning. The put on a black badge to mark the day as a day morning for
them. They walk to the Shahed Minar on the barefooted with flowers and wreaths in the hands. The offer flowers and
wreaths on the foot of the Shahed Minar to show love and respect to the martyred heroes. They remain standing
silently for sometime. Many meetings and seminars are held. People also pray for the salvation of the souls of the of
the martyrs throughout the country in the different religious institutions.