National Flag Day in Bangladesh

National Flag Day in Bangladesh is observed annually on March 2. This day commemorates the official adoption of the Bangladeshi flag in 1971, during the country's struggle for independence from Pakistan.

History

The history of National Flag Day is rooted in the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Student leaders of Dhaka University designed the first version of the flag which was hoisted on March 2, 1971, as a symbol of Bengali nationalism and resistance against Pakistani rule. The original design featured a map of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in gold on a green field with a red circle representing the sun rising over Bengal.

After independence was achieved later that year, the map was removed from the design, leading to the current flag: a red disc on a green field representing the sun shining over Bengal's lush landscape and also symbolizing the blood shed by Bangladeshi martyrs.

Traditions

On National Flag Day, patriotic activities take place across Bangladesh:

• Flag Hoisting: Both governmental and private buildings display the national flag prominently.
• Cultural Programs: Schools and communities hold cultural events celebrating national heritage.
• Discussions & Seminars: Educational institutions and organizations may host discussions about national history and pride.
• Memorials & Tributes: Citizens pay tribute to those who fought for independence.

What People Do

On this day, people across Bangladesh engage in various activities to express their national pride:

• Displaying flags at their homes or places of work.
• Participating in school events that often include essay competitions, art exhibitions, and patriotic performances.
• Attending memorials for fallen heroes of independence.
• Wearing clothing items like pins or badges that bear images or colors of the flag.

National Flag Day serves not only as a reminder of Bangladesh's hard-won sovereignty but also as an opportunity to educate younger generations about their country's history and values.