Azerbaijan observes National Revival Day

Azerbaijan today, November 17, marks National Revival Day, commemorating the nationwide movement that paved the way for the country’s independence.

As Caliber.Az recalls, the history of this holiday is linked to the national liberation movement that began in the country in November–December 1988.

During that period, in response to the anti-Azerbaijani policies of the Soviet leadership surrounding the Karabakh issue, an anti-Soviet popular movement emerged in Azerbaijan. On November 17, 1988, the Azerbaijani people began holding rallies in Azadlyg Square (then Lenin Square). Millions gathered to protest against Moscow’s anti-Azerbaijani policies. In early December, Soviet internal troops dispersed the demonstrations, yet Moscow was no longer able to curb the Azerbaijani people’s national liberation movement.

On November 17, 1990, the first session of the Supreme Council of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in its new composition was held. The words “Soviet” and “Socialist” were removed from the name of the Autonomous Republic. Dropping these words at a time when the empire had not yet collapsed was a major historic step on Azerbaijan’s path towards independence.

With this, the national leader Heydar Aliyev made the first significant move towards the revival of our national statehood. At the historic session chaired by the great leader Heydar Aliyev, the issue of the state symbols of the Autonomous Republic was also discussed. Following deliberations by the people’s deputies, a proposal was put forward to adopt the tricolour flag as a state symbol.

The session, which approved the restoration of the tricolour flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, petitioned the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan to adopt it as the state flag. This marked the beginning of the historical journey from national revival to national progress.

National Revival Day in Azerbaijan was established on November 17, 1992.