Azerbaijan Celebrates State Flag Day

Under a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on 17 November 2009, 9 November is celebrated annually in Azerbaijan as State Flag Day.
Since the restoration of its independence, the State Flag has become one of the country’s most revered national symbols, representing sovereignty and holding special significance for all citizens of Azerbaijan.

The flag, inherited from the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), reflects our commitment to the ideals of freedom, national and spiritual values, and universal principles.
The State Flag of Azerbaijan was adopted at a meeting of the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on 9 November 1918 and remained the official state flag until April 1920. On 17 November 1990, the same flag was adopted as the State Flag of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic at a session held on the initiative and under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, who was then Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

On 5 February 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan adopted the Law “On the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, officially declaring it the national flag of the country. Subsequently, under the Constitutional Act “On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, adopted on 18 October 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan, as the successor to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, restored its state symbols, including the State Flag.
In November 2009, following amendments to the Labour Code concerning State Flag Day, 9 November was included in the list of official public holidays observed as a non-working day in Azerbaijan.