21 February was approved as International Mother Language Day at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and has been observed worldwide since 2000. Its foundation is the memory of Bangladesh’s Language Movement.
Approved
1999, UNESCO
Observed since
2000
Proposed by
Bangladesh
Purpose
Protecting linguistic diversity
Bangladesh put forward the proposal at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference to declare 21 February International Mother Language Day, driven by the memory of the Language Movement and by expatriate Bengali initiatives.
The aim of the UNESCO decision was to highlight the importance of mother tongues and to draw attention to the preservation of smaller and endangered languages.
Since 2000, 21 February has been observed worldwide in many languages and countries, with tributes and discussions in schools, museums, language organisations and Bengali communities abroad.
The local day of remembrance thus became an international occasion.
The UNESCO recognition concerns the date, 21 February — not the structure called the Central Shaheed Minar. The Central Shaheed Minar is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Knowing this distinction helps visitors and researchers place the monument’s cultural importance accurately.
Information checked: 3 November 2026. Access conditions, opening hours, fares and nearby opening arrangements can change — confirm the latest details before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
The UNESCO General Conference approved 21 February as International Mother Language Day in 1999, and it has been observed since 2000.
The proposal to recognise 21 February as an international day came from Bangladesh.
No. The UNESCO recognition concerns the date 21 February, not the monument, which is not a World Heritage Site.
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