Language Martyrs' Day is a national holiday in Bangladesh that commemorates the deaths of students who were killed during the Bengali Language Movement in 1952. The movement was a protest against the decision of the Pakistani government to make Urdu the only official language of Pakistan.

On February 21, 1952, students at the University of Dhaka took to the streets to protest the language decision. The Pakistani police opened fire on the protesters, killing several students. The deaths of the students sparked a wider protest movement that eventually led to the recognition of Bengali as one of the official languages of Pakistan.

Language Martyrs' Day is a day to remember the sacrifices of the students who died for the right to speak their own language. It is also a day to celebrate the Bengali language and the cultural heritage of Bangladesh.

Here are some additional facts about Language Martyrs' Day:

• Language Martyrs' Day is a public holiday in Bangladesh.
• Schools, colleges, and universities are closed on Language Martyrs' Day.
• The national flag is flown at half-mast on Language Martyrs' Day.
• A number of events are held on Language Martyrs' Day to commemorate the martyrs and to celebrate the Bengali language.

The Language Movement

The Language Movement was a political and cultural movement in Bangladesh that aimed to gain recognition for the Bengali language. The movement began in the early 1950s and culminated in the Language Martyrs' Day on February 21, 1952.

The Language Movement was a major turning point in the history of Bangladesh. It helped to unite the Bengali people and to create a sense of national identity. The movement also led to the recognition of Bengali as one of the official languages of Pakistan.

The Bengali Language

Bengali is a language spoken by over 265 million people worldwide. It is the seventh most spoken language in the world. Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh and the second most spoken language in India.

Bengali is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family. It is a highly inflected language with a rich vocabulary. Bengali is written in the Bengali script, which is derived from the Brahmi script.

The Cultural Heritage of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The country is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest.

Bangladesh is also home to a number of traditional arts and crafts, including pottery, weaving, and painting. The country has a vibrant music and dance scene.

Language Martyrs' Day is an important day in the history of Bangladesh. It is a day to remember the sacrifices of the students who died for the right to speak their own language. It is also a day to celebrate the Bengali language and the cultural heritage of Bangladesh.