National Mourning Day in Bangladesh Date in the current year: August 15, 2024

Sheikh Mujibur Rakhman was the first President of Bangladesh, he is regarded as the Father of the Nation. He was a charismatic nationalist leader of the Bengali independence movement. On March 7, 1971, he delivered an inspirational speech that sparked the Liberation War which resulted in the independence of Bangladesh.

After the independence, Mujib briefly served as a provisional president, and then assumed office as a prime minister. In 1975, a group of military officers staged a coup and assassinated Sheikh Mujib, his wife and three sons. His two daughters remained alive because they were in West Germany at the time. The 1975 coup marked the beginning of military rule that lasted for 15 years.

Military rule in Bangladesh ended in 1991. In 1996, death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared National Day of Mourning. It is marked with solemn official ceremonies. The president and prime minister deliver speeches and lay flower wreaths at Sheikh Mujib's monument. On this day, the national flag of Bangladesh is flown at half-staff.