International Mother Language Day is a special day celebrated every year on February 21st all over the world. It is an opportunity to learn about different languages and cultures and to encourage people to speak and learn more than one language. This day was started by UNESCO in 1999 and later recognized by the United Nations. The day is important because it helps to protect all languages and celebrate the unique ways that people communicate. The idea for this day came from Bangladesh, where they fought for the recognition of the Bengali language. It is also celebrated in West Bengal, India.
History International Mother Language Day
The United Nations declared 21 February as International Mother Language Day in 1999 to honor the people of Bangladesh who protested against the government’s decision to make Urdu the national language of Pakistan. The protesters wanted Bengali to be recognized as well, but the government refused and even banned public gatherings. The protest turned violent on 21 February 1952, resulting in the deaths of several people. This incident is now remembered as a tragic day in Bangladesh’s history. On this day, people visit a monument built in memory of the martyrs to show their respect and gratitude.
International Mother Language Day is a special day in Bangladesh. Two people who are Bengalis living in Canada asked a man named Kofi Annan to help protect languages that were in danger of disappearing. They wanted a special day to remember the people who died trying to protect their language in Bangladesh in 1952. The idea was brought to the government in Bangladesh, and they asked a group called UNESCO to make it an official holiday. It was finally agreed upon on 17 November 1999, and now people all over the world celebrate it on 21 February.
Every year, UNESCO picks a topic for International Mother Language Day and holds events about it in Paris. In 2008, they also started the International Year of Languages on this day. Many countries like Chile, Russia, the Philippines, Egypt, and Canada celebrate this special day.
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