Today is the day of great victory, an unforgettable day of a thousand years of valor and heroism of the Bengali nation.  Day to debut as a nation of heroes.  The day to name an independent territory called Bangladesh on the map of the world.  After nine months of armed liberation war led by the nationalist Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on this afternoon in 1971, the invading Pakistani forces surrendered to the joint forces at Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan).  The new state of Bangladesh emerged on the world map.

 With the weapon with which the barbaric Pak army has killed three million Bengalis for nine long months and robbed two lakh mothers and sisters of their dignity, they put down the weapon at their feet and accepted defeat to the fighting Bengalis with a rush of frustration and humiliation.  Since then, December 16 has been celebrated as Victory Day.

 Happy Victory Day to all