The nation is observing Independence and National Day on Thursday with elaborate programmes and due solemnity, paying rich tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War.

The armed struggle for national independence formally began in the early hours of March 26 following the brutal crackdown on the unarmed Bengalis on the ‘black night’ of March 25. Thus March 26 is celebrated as the Independence and National Day.

After the nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and at the cost of chastity of two lakh women, Bangladesh achieved its cherished independence on December 16, 1971.

The day is a public holiday.

The government has taken up elaborate programmes at the national level to celebrate the Independence and National Day.

The day began with a 31-gun salute in the morning across the country including in Dhaka.

A parade and flypast will be held at the National Parade Square at 9am to mark Independence and National Day 2026.

The President and the Prime Minister are expected to attend the event.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman laid wreaths at National Memorial early in the morning to pay profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of 1971.

Later the families of the gallantry award winners , war-wounded freedom fighters, and brave freedom fighters led by Liberation War Affairs Minister also laid wreaths.

People from all walks of life including foreign diplomats, political leaders, and representatives from social, cultural, and professional bodies will lay wreaths at the National Memorial.

National flag has been hoisted and the national anthem will be performed at all divisions, districts, and upazilas.

Student rallies and parades will also take place.

National flag have hoisted atop all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings.

The President and the Prime Minister have issued separate messages on the occasion.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged the people of the country to uphold the spirit of national unity, mutual tolerance and patriotism to further accelerate the development of the country.

In a message marking the great the Independence and National Day to be observed on March 26, he also called up on all to work together to move the nation forward and build a prosperous future.

The Prime Minister on Wednesday unveiled a commemorative postage stamp marking the Independence and National Day.

National dailies  have brought out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

Different political parties as well as socio-cultural and professional organisations have drawn elaborate programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.

Besides, ships of the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast Guard will be open to visitors at major rivers and ports including Chattogram Port, Mongla Port and Payra Port, as well as river terminals such as Sadarghat, Pagla Ghat and Barishal Launch Terminal from 9 am to sunset.

Coast Guard vessels will also be open to visitors at Chandpur and Munshiganj launch ghats.

Sports events such as football matches, T-20 cricket tournaments, kabaddi and ha-du-du will be organised at the district and upazila levels. 

Cinema halls across the country will screen Liberation War-based films free of charge, while government and private museums will remain open to visitors without tickets from morning to evening.

Recreational centres for children will also remain open.

Cultural programmes will be held at tourist spots nationwide.

Special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship seeking eternal peace for martyred freedom fighters, good health for living freedom fighters and national progress.

Special meals will be arranged at the government hospitals, prisons, rehabilitation centres, orphanages, disability welfare centres, old-age homes and daycare centres across the country to mark the day.

As part of austerity measures amid concerns over a possible energy crisis, the government has decided not to arrange decorative illumination across the country on the occasion of Independence Day this year.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced the decision on March 8 while briefing reporters at the Secretariat following a preparatory meeting on law and order ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the observance of Genocide Day on March 25, and the celebration of Independence and National Day.

He said the move aims to prevent any potential power shortage and promote electricity conservation in the prevailing situation.