International Mother Language Day

The International Mother Language Day has been proclaimed to be on February 21 each year by UNESCO on November 17, 1999. Its observance was also formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages. International Mother Language Day is an acknowledgement and international recognition of Language Movement Day that is being commemorated in Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) since 1952, when many students of University of Dhaka were killed by the Pakistani police and army in Dhaka during the Bengali Language Movement. International Mother Language Day is observed annually by UNESCO member states and at its headquarters to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.