21 February was proclaimed the 'International Mother Language Day' by
UNESCO on
17 November 1999.
International Mother Language Day is observed yearly by UNESCO member states and at its headquarters to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and
multilingualism.
This is mostly the international recognition of
Language Movement Day, which has been commemorated in
Bangladesh (formerly
East Pakistan) since 1952, when many
Bengali-speaking people were massacred by the Pakistan police and army in
Dhaka, formerly Dacca.
International observances
★ The
Linguapax Award is presented annually on International Mother Language Day.
★ UNESCO sets the theme for each International Mother Language Day and holds related events at its headquarters in Paris on or around
21 February each year.
See also
★
First language
★
Language Movement Day
★
Bengali Language Movement
External links
★
UNESCO homepage for International Mother Language Day
★
UN Information Resources
★
Official related page from Bangladesh
★
UNESCO Education (includes links to information on past IMLD observances)