The Awami League is an integral part of the Bengali nation, with its history representing the struggles and triumphs of the Bengali people. As the torchbearer of democratic movements, the party has a rich heritage and a pivotal role in shaping the nation.
The Bangladesh Awami League, founded on June 23, 1949, is the oldest and most traditional political party in the country. Its popularity among the masses stems from the immense sacrifices and unwavering dedication of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who later became known as Bangabandhu and eventually the Father of the nation.
Under the Awami League’s leadership, Bangladesh achieved independence, and the party remains committed to democratic and non-communal values. Over the past seven decades, it has navigated various socio-political challenges, emerging as a driving force for progress.
Following in the footsteps of her father’s ideology, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina continues to propel the country forward with unwavering determination, fostering massive development and progress.
The Timeline of 75 Years
1949
June 23: East Pakistan Awami Muslim League was formed in Dhaka’s Rose Garden with Maulana Bhashani as President and Shamsul Haque as General Secretary and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Joint Secretary.
June 24: On the second day of the conference, the first public meeting of the party was held at Armanitola ground.
1952
February 21: Decisions to defy Section 144 and police fired bullets on in the procession of language movement leaving Rafiq, Salam, Jabbar, Barkat and many more martyred.
January 26: Nazimuddin announced that Urdu would be the only state language. Sheikh Mujib, who was staying in the prison cell of Dhaka Medical for treatment, contacted the leaders and instructed them to take the movement forward.
1953
July 09: Awami League council was held in Mymensingh where Maulana Bhashani was elected President and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as General Secretary.
1954
May 10: Bangabandhu was elected Member of Parliament from Gopalganj by a large margin and became the Minister of Cooperatives and Agricultural Development in the United Front cabinet at the age of 34.
1957
31 May: Bangabandhu resigned from the ministry and took charge of organizing the Awami League as General Secretary.
1958
October 7: Martial law was imposed in Pakistan and many leaders including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were arrested.
1959
December 7: Upon his release from jail, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shared his plan to establish an independent Bengal with his colleagues.
1966
February 05: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placed his historic Six-Point demand in Lahore.
March 18: Awami League Council approved the ‘Six-Point-Demand’. Bangabandhu was elected Awami League President and Tajuddin Ahmed General Secretary.
May 08: Awami League leaders including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were arrested during a Six-Point campaign.
June 07: Awami League enforced a nationwide general strike demanding Six-Point and the release of Bangabandhu.
1968
January 17: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released from Dhaka jail and re-arrested at the jail gate.
January 18: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was sued in the ‘Agartala Conspiracy’ case as the prime accused.
1969
January 5: ‘All-Party Student Struggle Council’ was formed under the leadership of Chhatra League, Chhatra Union and Dhaka University Central Students’ Union – DUCSU.
February 22: The Pakistan government had to release Bangabandhu unconditionally and withdrew the Agartala case amid public outrage.
February 23: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was conferred the title of ‘Bangabandhu’ at a public reception at the Racecourse Maidan.
December 05: Bangabandhu declared the name of East Pakistan as ‘Bangladesh’.
1970
December 07: Awami League won 167 out of 169 seats in East Bengal in the general elections in Pakistan.
December 17: Awami League won 288 out of 300 seats in the East Bengal Provincial Council elections.
1971
March 03: In the presence of Bangabandhu, the declaration of independent Bangladesh was announced, the national flag was displayed, and ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ as the national anthem was rendered at a public meeting in Paltan.
March 07: Bangabandhu, in essence, declared the independence of Bangladesh at a rally attended by one million people at the Racecourse Maidan. In his historic speech, Bangabandhu said, “The struggle this time is the struggle for our emancipation. The struggle this time is the struggle for our independence.”
March 23: Bangabandhu himself hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh at his residence in Dhanmondi 32.
March 26: Just before his arrest in the early hours of the day, Bangabandhu officially declared the independence of Bangladesh.
April 10: Awami League leaders declared Bangabandhu as President of the Government of Independent Sovereign and People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
December 16: Pakistani military junta surrendered at the historic Racecourse Maidan. The Bengalis achieved their much-deserved victory.
1972
January 10: Bangabandhu returned to independent Bangladesh.
January 12: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman resigned as President and took charge as Prime Minister.
April 08: In the party council, Bangabandhu was elected President of the Awami League.
1973
March 07: Awami League won 292 seats out of 300 in the first general election of independent Bangladesh.
1975
August 15: A group of stray members of the army assassinated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members.
November 03: Awami League leader Tajuddin Ahmed, Syed Nazrul Islam, Md Mansur Ali, and AHM Kamaruzzaman
1981
February 16: Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina was elected Awami League President.
May 17: Awami League President Sheikh Hasina returned home.
1987
January 3: Sheikh Hasina was re-elected Awami League President.
November 11: Sheikh Hasina was put under house arrest. Many others were arrests. A daylong general strike was enforced.
1988
January 24: At least nine people were shot dead in a rally of the eight-party alliance led by Sheikh Hasina in Chittagong.
1990
January 3: Sheikh Hasina launched a movement in Sylhet titled ‘Seven-Point Demand for Rice and Rights to Vote.
December 06: Sheikh Hasina led the mass uprising of ’90 that fell down the dictator Ershad.
1993
January 24: Shootings and bombings were carried out at Sheikh Hasina’s meeting in Chittagong. At least 50 people were injured.
September 23: Massive terror, shootings and bomb attacks were carried out on Sheikh Hasina’s train journey. Hundreds including magistrates and policemen were injured.
1996
June 12: Awami League gained a single majority in the parliamentary election.
October 2: Bangabandhu murder case was filed at Dhanmondi Police Station.
2004
August 21: A heinous grenade attack was carried out on Bangabandhu Avenue to assassinate Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders. Although Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina survived the incident, 24 people including Ivy Rahman were killed.
2007
April 18: Sheikh Hasina was banned from returning to the country.
April 25: Sheikh Hasina’s ban on returning home was lifted.
May 07: Millions of people disobeyed the government ban to welcome Sheikh Hasina.
July 16: Awami League President Sheikh Hasina was arrested.
2008
June 11: The caretaker government was forced to release Sheikh Hasina facing mass movement by Awami League leaders and activists.
December 12: People’s Leader Sheikh Hasina at Hotel Sheraton placed election manifesto of Bangladesh Awami League which is called the Charter of Change’.
December 29: Awami League won 264 out of 300 seats in the 9th parliamentary election.
2009
January 06: Grand Alliance led by Sheikh Hasina took the oath to form the government.
2014
January 5: Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League formed the government with a majority in the 10th parliamentary elections.
January 12: Awami League President Sheikh Hasina takes over as Prime Minister for the third time
2016
October 23: Sheikh Hasina was re-elected Awami League President, Obaidul Quader General Secretary at the 20th National Conference.
2018
December 30: The Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, won a landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary elections.
2019
January 07: Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina sworn in as the Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for the fourth time.
2019
December 21: In the 21st council session of the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina again was elected as President and Obaidul Quader as General Secretary.
2024
January 7: In the general election, the people of Bangladesh again gave their absolute mandate to the Awami League to form a government for the fifth time.
The unprecedented development that has taken place under the visionary and innovative leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the last 15 years is more than any other government. People’s quality of life has improved. Now, the people dream of a developed life. The construction of the Padma bridge with Bangladesh’s own funding, metro rail, Bangabandhu tunnel, elevated expressway, Rooppur nuclear power project, Matarbari deep sea port, the launch of the Bangabandhu-1 satellite and the implementation of so many megaprojects by the Awami League government have given people a new ray of hope.
Bangladesh Awami League is a political party dedicated to the welfare of the country and its people. The party has always played a dedicated role in their economic, social, and political emancipation. The 75-year history of the Awami League is a history of dedication to the welfare and prosperity of the country and nation.
The Awami League’s persistent battle to enrich Bangladesh and the Bengali nation continues to this day, despite many domestic and foreign conspiracies. The battle began in the hands of the then-young leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which has been continued with conviction by his daughter Sheikh Hasina, a fitting successor to Bangabandhu’s values and ideals. As long as Bangladesh remains, Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina, and the Bangladesh Awami League will be intrinsically connected with the struggle for survival and achievements of the Bengalis.
