Bangladesh: History

1947

British colonial rule ends in India. The former British Empire is partitioned into the Hindu Majority India and Muslim Majority East and West Pakistan, which are separated by approximately 1,600 km of Indian territory. 

1971 East Pakistan declares its independence and is renamed Bangladesh.

1972

Sheikh Mujib becomes prime minister and begins a program to nationalize key industries.

1976

The military bans trade union.

1988

Bangladesh faces the worst floods in their history. 53 of the nations and 64 administrative districts were covered by flood waters. The flooding caused approximately $2 billion in damages and displaced an estimate of 28 million people.

1988

The Bangladesh economy is again devastated by record levels of flooding, which covered over two-thirds of the nation.

2013

Over a thousand workers are killed after a garment factory collapses, prompting European retailers to sign an agreement to provide safer working conditions in their buildings.

2018

Governing Awami League wins landslide victory in parliamentary election, but the campaign was marred by reports of violence, intimidation, and vote-rigging. At least 17 people died in clashes between Awami League and opposition supporters.