On March 23, 1971, which had traditionally been observed as Pakistan Day, the day was transformed into Resistance Day following the call of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during the ongoing non-cooperation movement. From dawn, students and citizens marched to Azimpur graveyard to honor martyrs, while across Dhaka and other regions, the Pakistani flag was replaced with the flag of independent Bangladesh. Only a few key installations, including the President’s House and cantonments, raised the Pakistani flag under tight security.

At the Outer Stadium, the Joy Bangla Bahini held a parade and mock military drill, followed by the formal hoisting of the Bangladesh flag at Paltan Maidan before a massive crowd. Later, Bangabandhu raised the national flag at his Dhanmondi residence, addressing the gathered people and reaffirming that there would be no compromise on Bengal’s demands. Meanwhile, scheduled talks between Bangabandhu and President Yahya Khan did not occur, though their advisers met twice that day.

Television broadcasts replaced Pakistan’s national anthem with “Amar Sonar Bangla,” and newspapers published special pages on autonomy, inspiring millions toward independence. Various political and student groups across East Bengal observed the day as the moment of final resolve for freedom.