The predominantly Bangalee staff of Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Calcutta took over the establishment today and transformed it into a mission of the newly proclaimed provisional government of Bangladesh.

The independence of Bangladesh was formally proclaimed today at Baidyanathtala, Meherpur.

The swearing-in of the cabinet members of the Bangladesh government-in-exile scheduled to take place on April 15, 1971 was postponed owing to the eruption of fighting in Kushtia.

The first cabinet meeting of the provincial government of Bangladesh today laid down a seven-point programme for smooth functioning of the administration as far as practicable under the prevailing situation.

A six-member war cabinet headed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was formed today.

A fossil of a skunk-like mammal that lived during the age of dinosaurs has been discovered in Chilean Patagonia, adding further proof to recent evidence that mammals roamed that part of South America a lot earlier than previously thought.

The Martial Law Authority in Dhaka announced today that government troops had destroyed all “subversive elements” in Chandpur and it promised that the lives and property of “minorities and other people” in the eastern wing of the country would be protected.

The Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro today broadcast a speech by the prime minister of the newly formed government-in-exile Tajuddin Ahmad.

The Mujibnagar Government was formed today to conduct the Bangladesh War of Liberation. The official announcement declaring independence of Bangladesh,

The Martial Law Administrator Lieutenant General Tikka Khan was sworn in as governor of East Pakistan today. Earlier, after his appointment as both the governor and martial law administrator in East Pakistan on March 8, 1971,

Bangladesh independence forces said today they had blown up a rail bridge linking the army held cities of Dhaka and Chittagong, destroyed an airfield near Comilla and captured an army depot holding nine tonnes of arms and ammunition.

Two Bangalee diplomats -- Second Secretary KM Shehabuddin and Amjadul Huq, assistant press attaché at the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi -- today announced their decision to defect from Pakistan and pledged allegiance to Bangladesh at a press conference in New Delhi.

Nasa’s Ingenuity mini-helicopter has been dropped on the surface of Mars in preparation for its first flight, the US space agency said.

New York Times reported today that Chuadanga had been designated the provisional capital of independent Bangladesh.

On April 4, 1971, Tajuddin Ahmad called on Indian PM Indira Gandhi at the office in her residence. The conversation started with Indira’s question, “How is Sheikh Mujib? Is he alright?”

Some of the 102 Britons who were evacuated to Singapore by air yesterday from East Pakistan revealed today the fighting and carnage they had seen.

On April 2, 1971, N. V. Podgorny, the president of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, sent a message to Pakistan President Yahya Khan expressing concern at the repression let loose against the people of Bangladesh by the Pakistani army:

Chinese furniture maker Hong Jinshi first created a couple of pint-sized statues of former US president Donald Trump meditating in a Buddhist pose as a fun project for himself last year.

The UN Secretary General U Thant declined to request the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to send relief to the victims of Pakistan military massacre in Bangladesh.

Scientists in Argentina have unearthed the well-preserved skull of a meat-eating dinosaur that roamed northern Patagonia about 85 million years ago - a beast with a short snout, keen hearing and stout bite strength that made it a daunting predator.