Editorial photo #13353386 Human Interest
Bangladesh Marks International Mother Language Day, From Preparations to Tributes
On February 21, 2026, in Khulna, Bangladesh, people place floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar, marking International Mother Language Day and Language Martyrs' Day. The monument is covered with wreaths from government offices, political parties, and social organizations as people pay tribute to the martyrs. The day commemorates those who were killed during the 1952 Language Movement, when students and activists sacrificed their lives demanding the recognition of Bangla as a state language of then Pakistan. February 21 is proclaimed International Mother Language Day by UNESCO in 1999 and has been observed worldwide since 2000, promoting linguistic and cultural diversity across the globe. (Photo by Pinu Rahman/NurPhoto)
