BangladeshBook of Records

Verified record

BBR-BO1F-5CAE · Evidence reviewed and adjudicated

Origin of International Mother Language Day

UNESCO proclaimed 21 February as International Mother Language Day on 17 November 1999.

Record holderLanguage Movement of 1952 / Bangladesh

Date achieved17 November 1999

Origin of International Mother Language Day
DhakaPhoto: Mostaque Ahammed · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Official statement

On 17 November 1999 UNESCO's General Conference proclaimed 21 February International Mother Language Day, honouring the students killed in Dhaka on 21 February 1952 while demanding recognition for Bengali. It has been observed worldwide since 2000.

Criteria met

  1. 01Check UNESCO General Conference proclamation records.
  2. 02Verify historical records of the 1952 Language Movement.
  3. 03Check worldwide observance records starting in 2000.

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