Bangladesh observes historic March 7

March 7, a memorable day in the Bangalis' long and bloody struggle for freedom, was observed across the country on Thursday.

On this day in 1971, Bangladesh's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered an epoch-making speech at a massive rally at the Race Course Maidan — now Suhrawardy Udyan — in Dhaka.

In 2017, Unesco had recognised the speech as a world documentary heritage.

In his 19-minute extempore speech, Bangabandhu made a clarion call for a non-cooperation movement, asking the nation to prepare for the war of independence.

"Since we have given blood, we will give more of it. But, God willing, we will free the people of this land," he said. "The struggle this time is the struggle for emancipation. The struggle this time is the struggle for independence."

Millions of people from all walks of life responded to his call and joined the Liberation War in 1971 which ended on December 16 with the surrender of the Pakistani occupation forces.

Tribute

On Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the nation's independence hero, who is also her father, by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi.

She stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect to the memory of Bangabandhu.

Hasina then placed another wreath as the Awami League president.

The ruling party and different socio-political and cultural organizations organized elaborate programs to observe the day.

State-run radio and television as well as private channels aired special programs, while national dailies published supplements marking the day.