They paid the homage by placing wreaths at the Central Shahid Minar here at one minute past midnight.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at the Shaheed Minar seven minutes before the clock struck 12 midnight, while President Abdul Hamid reached the Central Shaheed Minar four minutes before the zero hour.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proceeded to the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar together in slow pace as the immortal song on Amar Ekushey—'Amar Bhaiyer Rakte Rangano Ekushey February’-- was playing.
The President was the first to lay the wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar. Just after the President, the Prime Minister placed the wreath at the Shaheed Minar.
They stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the language heroes.
Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, MPs, the chiefs of the three services, diplomats, senior Awami League leaders, high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
Flanked by Cabinet members and senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League, later placed another wreath at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of the party.
Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury also paid tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement by placing a wreath at the Shaheed Minar.
On her arrival at the Shaheed Minar, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was received by Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman.
Later, the Prime Minister and the VC received the President when he arrived at the Shaheed Minar.