December 1 marks the beginning of Victory Month in Bangladesh, commemorating the nation’s triumph in the 1971 Liberation War that led to the creation of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh on December 16. The nine-month war, which cost the lives of three million people and saw immense sacrifices from countless others, remains the most significant event in the country’s history. On December 1, 1971, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi urged Pakistan’s President Yahya Khan to withdraw troops from Bangladesh to restore peace in the subcontinent. Reports from that time, including one from The New York Times, highlighted the intensifying guerrilla attacks and brutal retaliations by Pakistani forces. Despite the violence, the Bengali freedom fighters advanced toward victory, culminating in Pakistan’s surrender at the Racecourse Ground. The month of December continues to symbolize the nation’s pride, resilience, and the ultimate realization of its long-cherished dream of independence.