More than 27,000 people gathered in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, on December 16, in an attempt to break the record for the world's largest "human flag."
World's biggest human flag —
More than 27,000 people gathered in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, on December 16, in an attempt to break the record for the world's largest "human flag."
XINHUA /LANDOV
Students and army officials hold green and red placards to create the Bangladeshi flag, which was adopted in 1972 after Bangladesh gained independence.
World's biggest human flag —
Students and army officials hold green and red placards to create the Bangladeshi flag, which was adopted in 1972 after Bangladesh gained independence.
COURTESY TANIA RASHID
17-year-old student, Akhika Akhtar, participates in the record-breaking attempt with her classmates.
World's biggest human flag —
17-year-old student, Akhika Akhtar, participates in the record-breaking attempt with her classmates.
Courtesy Tania Rashid
Spectators watch from the sidelines as students and army officials form a giant flag with placards at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
World's biggest human flag —
Spectators watch from the sidelines as students and army officials form a giant flag with placards at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
COURTESY TANIA RASHID
December 16 is Victory Day, which commemorates the day Bangladesh officially gained independence from Pakistan in 1971.
World's biggest human flag —
December 16 is Victory Day, which commemorates the day Bangladesh officially gained independence from Pakistan in 1971.
COURTESY TANIA RASHID
At least one million people died during the nine-month war that led to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971.
World's biggest human flag —
At least one million people died during the nine-month war that led to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971.
COURTESY TANIA RASHID
On December 16, the Bangladesh flag broke the previous record set by Pakistan last year, when 24,000 people with white and green boxes gathered in a hockey stadium in the city of Lahore.
World's biggest human flag —
On December 16, the Bangladesh flag broke the previous record set by Pakistan last year, when 24,000 people with white and green boxes gathered in a hockey stadium in the city of Lahore.
COURTESY TANIA RASHID
The red of the Bangladesh flag symbolizes "the rising sun of a new country".
World's biggest human flag —
The red of the Bangladesh flag symbolizes "the rising sun of a new country".
COURTESY TANIA RASHID
To set a new record, the crowd had to maintain the flag by standing for at least five minutes.
World's biggest human flag —
To set a new record, the crowd had to maintain the flag by standing for at least five minutes.
COURTESY TANIA RASHID
An accounting firm monitored the attempt, scanning bar codes to record the number of volunteers. There were 27,117 in all.
World's biggest human flag —
An accounting firm monitored the attempt, scanning bar codes to record the number of volunteers. There were 27,117 in all.
COURTESY TANIA RASHID