1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1976th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 976th year of the 2nd millennium, the 76th year of the 20th century, and the 7th year of the 1970s decade. The year 1976 was the 5th year after the independence of Bangladesh. It was also the year when Gen Ziaur Rahman consolidated his power and proceeded to become the President.