21 February is the International Mother Language Day and in Bangladesh, the day is observed as National Martyr's day since 1952. The day is marked with the martyrdom of valiant sons of Bangladesh for establishing Bangla as the state language of the then East Pakistan (present Bangladesh). This is one and only sacrifice of lives for the sake of the Mother Language in the history of mankind. On this significance of the day, UNESCO declared 21st February as the International Mother Language Day to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

To observe the day, the people of the world in a barefoot walk to the Martyrs' Memorials to pay homage to the martyrs with flowers wearing traditional dress and singing songs.