Marking the separation of what was East Pakistan and Pakistan, Bangladesh Independence Day is a national holiday celebrated on 26 March.

On that date in 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman signed a declaration making East Pakistan the sovereign and independent country of Bangladesh

It sparked the nine-month long Bangladesh Liberation War which claimed the lived of between 300,000 to 3 million people, although the casualty figures are disputed. Millions more were displaced.

Towards the end of the war, India invaded East Pakistan in support of the East Pakistani people and their forces.

This led more than 93,000 Pakistani troops to surrender – the largest number since World War II.

Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security forces stand guard at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, Bangladesh after a man attempted to hijack a plane EPA Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Photo released by Bangladeshi Police of Mahmud Polash Ahmed, who was shot dead after attempting to hijack the plane with a toy gun AP Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel search a vehicle at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel search people at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel search a vehicle at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel search people at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel stand guard at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Bangladesh civil aviation minister Mahbub Ali, center, addresses a news conference in Dhaka on Monday 25 February AP

On 16 December 1971, East Pakistan officially became the independent country of Bangladesh.

Google are marking the national holiday with a doodle, which features an illustration of men in boats, nodding to Bangladesh’s many rivers.

Bangladesh Independence Day is marked in the country with parades, concerts and often speeches.

In the capital city of Dhaka, many government buildings are lit up in red and green, the national colours.