Independence Day is celebrated in Azerbaijan

On 28 May, 1918, 107 years have passed since the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), the first secular democratic state in the Muslim East.

This holiday has been celebrated for 5 years in the territories liberated from occupation.

As a result of the February Revolution in Russia in 1917, with the fall of the Tsarist Empire, a national movement of the peoples oppressed by tsarism began in the country. On 28 May, 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-1920) was established - the first secular democratic state in the Muslim East.

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was the first parliamentary republic in the Turkic and Islamic world, the first example of a democratic, legal, secular state.

The first head of the provisional government of Azerbaijan was Fatali Khan Khoyski. After operating in Tbilisi for 10 days, the National Council was moved to Ganja. Only on 15 September, 1918, after the Caucasian Islamic Army cleared Baku of Dashnak-Russian forces, the national government moved from Ganja to Baku.

The independent Azerbaijan Republic achieved great achievements and victories during its 23-month existence. In the Republic, where women were given the right to vote for the first time and gender equality was ensured, extremely important steps were taken towards the creation of a national army, the establishment of a National Bank and the introduction of a national currency, democratization, and the organization of free elections.

The first temple of science in Azerbaijan, Baku State University, was also established during the national government in 1919.

On 9 November, 1918, based on the proposal of M.A.Rasulzade, the tricolor state flag of the Azerbaijani People's Republic was adopted.

The Azerbaijani People's Republic was able to maintain its existence for only 23 months in tense and complex socio-political conditions.

Soviet Russia forcibly incorporated Azerbaijan into its composition. Despite of being overthrown by the Bolsheviks, the idea of ​​independence was never defeated, and with the collapse of the Soviet empire in 1991, Azerbaijan regained its independence.

A monument to the Declaration of Independence was erected in Baku in honor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

Independence Day was renamed Republic Day from 1991 to 2021. At the plenary session of the Milli Majlis on 15 October, 2021, a new law "On Independence Day" was adopted. On the same day, the law "On Independence Day" was approved by President Ilham Aliyev.

With the approval of the law, May 28 – Republic Day was renamed and declared Independence Day.

Independence Day in Azerbaijan is a non-working day and is celebrated as a holiday every year.