Victory Day - On this day, after the nine month long independence war with Pakistan, the occupying armed forces of Pakistan formally surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India. Victory day (Bengali: বিজয় দিবস Bijôe Dibôsh) is celebrated on December 16 in Bangladesh. On this day in 1971, the Pakistani Army surrendered to the Indo-Bangladeshi High Command in Dhaka, ending a 9 month war of independence. Pakistani General AAK Niazi surrendered officially to the Allied forces commander General Jagjit Singh Aurora. Bangladesh gained independence after 9 months of a long and bloody struggle. DEC 16th marks "Victory Day" for Bangladesh after it achieved independence from Pakistan. This feat of independence came after 9 months of struggle in which many Bangladeshis (women, literates, public servants, artists, intellectuals, religious minorities, youth, educated and others) were massacred. In addition more than 10 million Bengali refugees fled to India to escape the horrors of war. The Pakistani occupation forces killed Bangalee intellectuals and professionals on December 14, 1971. This day is called the "Martyred Intellectuals Day". According to many including Ahmad Javed from Andover, MA the rate of killing surpasses the deaths of Jews in the Nazi regime.

A history of bloody war of this nation is closely related to its victory day. The victory day of Bangladesh is significant in the sense that is actually a result of a movement against the imposing rule of Pakistan. For this reason the relationship between the then East Pakistan and West Pakistan were progressively deteriorated. The general election of 1970 had made Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the unquestioned leader of the people. His historic address on 7 March 1971 made this point quite clear to the Pakistani military army. Meanwhile talks started between Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Yahya Khan to resolve the outstanding issues. The Pakistani military were bringing more troops to Bangladesh. No sooner the talks failed, the genocide began, with the Pakistan army's crackdown by the order of Yahya Khan on the midnight of 25 March 1971. The Pakistani Army started killing the people, burnt their houses, looted their valuables and raped their women. On 26 March Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was taken prisoner at 1:30 am by the Pakistan army. Before his arrest in early hours of 26th March he sent a wireless message declaring independence of Bangladesh. On 27th March from Chittagong Radio Station Major Ziaur Rahman declared independence and appealed for international support.

The strategy of the Mukti Bahini, aided by Indian forces, overwhelmed the Pakistani forces and within 10 days of India's joining the war, the Pakistani Army was compelled to surrender on December 16, 1971. The Indian troops and the freedom fighters of 11 Sectors reached Tongi on 14 December and Savar in the morning of 16 December. Major General Jamshed, commander 36 Division of the Pakistan Army received Major General Nagra at Mirpur Bridge near Dhaka City. The Mukti Bahini and the Indian forces entered Dhaka city at 10.10 am. Major General Jacob, the Chief of Staff of the Indian Eastern command landed at Dhaka airport at 1 pm. with the draft Instrument of Surrender. A fleet of helicopters landed on the tarmac of Dhaka airport at about 4 pm. with Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora and his staff. Group Captain AK Khandaker, Deputy Chief of Staff, Bangladesh Forces represented the Mukti Bahini. Lieutenant General AAK Niazi received Lieutenant General Aurora. The instrument of surrender was signed by Lieutenant Jagit Sing Aurora and Lieutenant General Niazi at the ramna racecourse (now Suhrawardy Uddyan) at one minute past 5 pm. on 16 December 1971. On December 16, 1971, General AK Niazi, the chief of 93,000-men strong Pakistani occupation forces, surrendered to a Bangladesh-India joint command at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka following his defeat to the Bengali Mukti Bahini (guerrilla forces) in the March-to-December war.

A grateful nation pays homage to three million martyrs who sacrificed their lives to earn the much-cherished freedom on December 16, 1971. The day will be celebrated across the country and at its missions abroad with a fresh vow to build a prosperous Bangladesh free from the curses of hunger, disparity and exploitation as dreamt by the martyrs. This day is a public holiday. National flag will be hoisted atop all government, semi-government and other important establishments. This day will be heralded by 31 gun salutes at the dawn.Tributes will be paid to the Liberation War heroes by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar in the morning. President and Prime Minister will lead the nation in offering wreaths at the monument.The Liberation War Museum will conclude its weeklong Victory Day celebrations with a recitation programme by children and juveniles and a cultural programme in the evening.