Dhaka, Mar 07 (V7N) — Today marks the historic 7th of March, a landmark day in the history of the Bengali nation’s struggle for freedom and the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

On this day in 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader of the Bengali people and later the founding father of Bangladesh, delivered his historic speech before a massive gathering at the then Racecourse Maidan, now known as Suhrawardy Udyan.

Standing before hundreds of thousands of people, Bangabandhu called for the freedom struggle of the Bengali nation, declaring in his powerful voice:
“This time the struggle is for our freedom; this time the struggle is for our independence.”

The speech became a turning point that effectively mobilized the entire nation for the liberation struggle against the then Pakistani regime.

Recognition by UNESCO

The historic speech received global recognition when the UNESCO included it in the Memory of the World International Register on October 30, 2017, recognizing it as a valuable documentary heritage of humanity.

During the 18-minute address, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman articulated the aspirations, struggles, and political and economic rights of nearly 75 million Bengalis, inspiring them to prepare for the struggle that eventually led to Bangladesh’s independence in December 1971.

Global significance

The speech is widely regarded as one of the most influential political speeches in world history and is often compared with Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous I Have a Dream address.

Over the years, Bangabandhu’s 7 March speech has been translated into numerous languages and continues to be studied around the world as a powerful example of political leadership, inspiration, and resistance.

For Bangladesh, the day remains a symbol of national unity, courage, and the unwavering spirit of the people in their quest for independence. 

END/SMA/AJ