The nation has taken all out preparations to celebrate the 48th Independence and National Day today, refreshing the resolution to uphold the spirit of the War of Liberation and build a "Sonar Bangla" as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reports BSS. Meanwhile, the country observed the 'Genocide Day' in a sombre mood and a one-minute blackout was observed from 9pm marking

the black night when brutalities and cowardly attacks were carried out by the Pakistani occupation forces on the unarmed Bangalees on the night of March 25 in 1971.

This year the nation is celebrating the Day amid much enthusiasm, fanfare and pride as the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu, which was the effective deceleration of the country's independence, got the prestigious place in the world's documentary heritage.

In October last year, the UNESCO included the speech in the Memory of the World International Register - a list of the world's important documentary heritage. This recognition has taken the country's status to a new stature in the global context.  The Committee for Development Policy (CDP) of the United Nations on March 15 officially declared the eligibility of Bangladesh for graduating from the Least Development Countries (LDCs).

Amid this success and festivity, glowing tributes will be paid to the martyrs and veterans of the War of Liberation on the Independence and National Day today.

The National Memorial at Savar will be the main venue of the celebration of the day where President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths early in the morning as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs.

Families of Bir Shreshthas, war wounded freedom fighters, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of different political parties, social, cultural and professional bodies and people from all walks of life will also lay wreaths at the national memorial in the morning.

In the wake of the military crackdown on March 25 night, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who became the undisputed leader of the then Pakistan following the massive victory of his party, Awami League, in the 1970 general elections, declared independence of Bangladesh through the then EPR (East Pakistan Rifles) wireless at 00-30 hours on March 26 (the night following March 25) in 1971 at his historic Road-32 residence at Dhanmondi here.

The great leader also called upon the people to build up strong resistance against the Pakistani barbaric occupation forces.  Pakistani military junta, in a bid to stop the legitimate movement of the Bangalees, arrested Bangabandhu on that night following his declaration of independence.

Bangabandhu wrote down the declaration of independence soon after the Pakistani army cracked down on the fateful night of March 25, 1971.

Meanwhile, the Genocide Day was observed officially for the second time in the country as Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on March 11, 2017 to observe March 25 as the Genocide Day.

Different political parties, government and non-government bodies and socio-cultural organisations observed the day with elaborate programmes.