Every December 16, we return to the story of our Liberation War with pride, gratitude, and an ever-deepening sense of responsibility. Yet this year, we attempt something different. Instead of viewing 1971 solely through the familiar national frame, this Victory Day supplement explores Bangladesh's liberation as part of a wider global history—shaped by shifting Cold War alignments, post-colonial aspirations, transnational solidarities, and the moral courage of people across continents who refused to look away.

From the refugee camps of India to the protest streets of London, from the editorial pages of global newspapers to the halls of the United Nations, Bangladesh's struggle reverberated far beyond its borders. The war created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, mobilised world opinion, and forced the international community to confront urgent questions about genocide, sovereignty, and the right of a people to determine their own future.

In these pages, we revisit 1971 not as an isolated national event but as a moment woven into larger histories—of empire and decolonisation, of global justice movements, of geopolitics and people's resistance. By placing Bangladesh within this broader canvas, we hope to illuminate both the uniqueness of our struggle and its enduring resonance in the world today.

Mahfuz Anam

Editor & Publisher

The Daily Star