Bangladesh
The People's Republic of Bangladesh borders India to the east.
The name means "Bengal Nation".
Prior to independence, Bangladesh was East Pakistan, one of the provinces when Pakistan was
created in 1947.
There were tensions from the start.
East Pakistan was separated from the rest of the country by a thousand miles of India, and
even though there were more people in the East, the government was centered in the West.
Tensions worsened when Urdu was declared the official language even though Bengali was the
common language in the East, and discontent continued despite some government reform.
 National Mourning Day, February 21. A memorial day and national holiday.
When Bangladesh was part of Pakistan the West Pakistani regime tried to force Urdu as the
national language in place of Bengali.
On this day a procession of Bengalis was shot at by police and four people were killed.
Also known as
Shaheed Dibsoh or
Martyrs Day.
Independence Day, March 26. Then, in 1970, East Pakistan's leading political party, the Awami League, was victorious
in the elections.
Their leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, should have become the next Prime Minister, but the
President of Pakistan refused to accept this.
After negotiations broke down, Mujib declared independence for the People's Republic of
Bangladesh on March 26, 1971.
A nine month civil war ensued.
Victory Day, December 16. After Sheikh Mujib's declaration of independece, President Yahya Khan outlawed the
Awami League and arrested its leaders, including Mujib.
Resistance fighters continued to battle the Pakistan army, resulting in nearly ten million
refugees fleeing to India.
India declared war on Pakistan on December 4, and Pakistan surrendered soon afterwards, on
December 16, 1971.
Mujib returned to become the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Today is also known as
Bijoy Dibosh.
Revolution Day, November 7. Beginning in 1974, Political instability and internal terrorism led to a state of
emergency and suspension of constitutional rights.
The parlaiment was disolved, and Sheikh Mujib assumed absolute power as President.
This further led to a series of coup d'états.
First, Mujib and his family were assassinated by Islamic army majors.
Then a counter-coup installed a new government which ruled for four days before a third
coup on November 7, 1975, installed Chief Justice Abusadet Mohammed Sayem as the new
President.
Bengali New Year, April 14. [same as Vaisakhi?]
Public holidays
Martyrs Day, Independence Day, Bengali New Year, May Day, Victory Day, Shab-e-Barat,
Jamaat-ul-Bida, Shab-e-Qudr, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Yom Ashura, Janmastami, Durga Puja,
Buddha Purnima, and Christmas.
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