♦ International Mother Language Day is observed every year on February 21, serves as a global reminder of the value of mother tongues and multilingual education.  

♦ The idea for International Mother Language Day originated in Bangladesh, stemming from the struggle for recognition of the Bengali language on February 21, 1952.

♦ This historic event underscores the vital importance of mother languages--not only as a medium of communication-- but also as a repository of culture, tradition and identity. 

♦ In November 1999, UNESCO formally declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day, a move endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002.

♦ The day has since been observed worldwide to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity.

♦ The theme for 2026 is “Youth voices on multilingual education."