Bangladesh

1971

Liberation War

The history of a nation's independence, struggle, and sacrifice.

The 1971 Liberation War was the final resistance of the people of East Pakistan against long-standing political, economic, and cultural discrimination. After the denial of the people's mandate in the 1970 election and the military crackdown of 25 March, this struggle transformed into an armed war of liberation that led to the birth of independent Bangladesh.

1972

State Formation and the 1972 Constitution

Independent Bangladesh builds a parliamentary republic out of war, displacement, and constitutional ambition.

In 1972, Bangladesh moved from wartime victory to the difficult work of state formation. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returned in January to lead the new government, the Constituent Assembly began work in April, and the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh was adopted on 4 November before taking effect on 16 December. The year linked liberation to institution-building through parliamentary government, fundamental rights, and the four state principles of nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism.

1991

Return to Parliamentary Democracy

Post-uprising transition and constitutional restructuring.

After the 1990 mass uprising, Bangladesh moved through election and constitutional amendment to restore a parliamentary system in 1991, reshaping executive-legislative balance.

2013

Rana Plaza Collapse

The Savar disaster exposed structural failures in Bangladesh's garment supply chain.

On 24 April 2013, Rana Plaza in Savar collapsed, killing over a thousand people and injuring many more. The disaster triggered domestic and international scrutiny of factory safety, labor governance, and global supply-chain accountability.

2024

Anti-Discrimination Movement

A youth struggle over jobs, fairness, and the future.

The 2024 Anti-Discrimination Movement began around the reinstatement of the government job quota system. Students from universities across the country mobilized to demand merit-based recruitment. The movement quickly spread nationwide and, over time, grew into a broader social and political protest.