Azerbaijan commemorates 33rd anniversary of independence revival Journey from Soviet rule to sovereignty

Today marks the 33rd anniversary of Azerbaijan’s restoration of independence.

Up until 2021, October 18 was observed as Azerbaijan’s State Independence Day, Caiber.Az reports.

However, in the lead-up to the 30th anniversary of this important date, the Milli Majlis (Parliament) passed a law that shifted the celebration of Independence Day to May 28 (previously known as Republic Day), while October 18 was renamed the Day of Restoration of State Independence.

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which was recognized as the first democratic state in the Muslim East, was established on May 28, 1918, by the National Council under the leadership of Mahammad Amin Rasulzada.

Just two years later, the Red Army entered Azerbaijan, and it wasn’t until October 18, 1991, that Azerbaijan regained its independence. Despite living under Soviet rule for 70 years, the people of Azerbaijan never forgot their former state, which granted equal rights to all citizens, irrespective of gender, race, religion, or belief.

The brutal massacre carried out by the Soviet Army on January 20, 1990, in Baku and other regions of Azerbaijan shattered the people's trust in the USSR, accelerating the country’s path toward independence. On August 30, 1991, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan, functioning as the nation’s parliament at the time, adopted the Declaration of Independence. In September 1991, the council held discussions on Azerbaijan's exit from the USSR.

Finally, on October 18, 1991, the Supreme Council passed the "Constitutional Act on State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan" by a majority vote. This document declared the USSR as an occupier and proclaimed Azerbaijan as the legal successor of the republic established in 1918. A referendum on December 29, 1991, saw an overwhelming majority of Azerbaijanis vote in favour of independence.

By Tamilla Hasanova