Read the passage, then answer the questions below.

26 March, our Independence Day, is the biggest state festival. The day is celebrated every year in the country with great enthusiasm and fervour. It is a national holiday. All offices, educational institutions, shops and factories remain closed on this day The day begins with a 31 gun salute.

Early in the morning the President and the Prime Minister on behalf of the nation place floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar. Then other leaders, political parties, diplomats, social and cultural organisations, educational institutions and freedom fighters pay homage to the martyrs. People from all walks of life also go there in rallies and processions. There are many cultural programmes throughout the day, highlighting the heroic struggle and sacrifice in 1971.

The country also witnesses a spectacular parade of defence forces, border guards, police, ansars and the VDP (Village Defense Party) at the National Parade Ground near the National Parliament. In Bangabandhu Stadium, school children, scouts and girl guides take part in various displays to entertain thousands of spectators. Educational institutions also organise their individual programmes. Sports meets and tournaments are also organised on the day, including the exciting boat race in the river Buriganga.

In the evening, all major public buildings are illuminated with colourful lights. Bangla Academy. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and other socio-cultural organisations hold cultural functions. Similar functions are also arranged in other places in the country.

Answer the following questions.

Our Independence Day

26 March reminds us of the historic day in 1971 when Bangladesh declared its independence. It signifies the commencement of our nine-month-long Liberation War and the ultimate victory against oppression. The day is celebrated annually to commemorate the heroic struggle and immense sacrifices made by the people to achieve a sovereign nation.

26 March is observed as Bangladesh's Independence Day because on this day in 1971, the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declared the independence of Bangladesh. This declaration ignited the Liberation War against Pakistan, leading to nine months of intense conflict. The day serves as a solemn reminder of the immense sacrifices made by millions of martyrs and freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country's sovereignty. It is a day of national pride, remembrance, and renewal of the commitment to uphold the values for which the nation was founded.

The beginning of Independence Day celebrations.

The 31-gun salute is a ceremonial gesture that marks the official beginning of the Independence Day festivities in Bangladesh. It is a traditional military honor, serving as a symbol of respect and solemnity for the occasion. This salute commemorates the sacrifices made during the 1971 Liberation War and honors the birth of the nation. It sets a formal and respectful tone for the day's events, which include various cultural programs and tributes to the martyrs.

The cultural programmes held on Independence Day play a vital role in educating and inspiring the populace. They specifically highlight the arduous struggle and immense sacrifices made by the people of Bangladesh during the Liberation War of 1971. These events serve to remind everyone, especially the youth, about the historical context and the profound price paid to achieve the nation's independence, thereby reinforcing national pride and patriotism.

We pay homage to the martyrs by placing floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar and by participating in rallies and processions.

On Independence Day, it is a national tradition to pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country's freedom in 1971. This homage is primarily offered at the National Mausoleum in Savar, where the President, Prime Minister, other leaders, and people from all walks of life place floral wreaths. This act signifies the nation's profound respect and gratitude for their supreme sacrifice. Additionally, various rallies and processions are organized throughout the day, reinforcing the remembrance and celebration of their heroic struggle.

From this passage, we become inspired by the profound significance of Independence Day as a commemoration of the heroic struggle and immense sacrifices made in 1971 to achieve our nation's freedom. The description of nationwide celebrations with great enthusiasm, the respectful homage paid to martyrs at the National Mausoleum, and the various cultural programs highlighting the historical struggle and sacrifice, all instill a deep sense of patriotism and gratitude towards those who fought for independence. This reminds us of the importance of unity and determination in safeguarding our hard-earned sovereignty.