Every year on October 18, the Republic of Azerbaijan celebrates one of its most important national holidays — the Day of Restoration of Independence (Müstəqilliyin Bərpası Günü). This date symbolizes the country's return to the path of sovereign development after 71 years of being part of the Soviet Union.
For search engines and readers interested in the history of the South Caucasus, October 18 often raises a question: why is the holiday specifically called the day of restoration, and not simply Independence Day? To answer this, it is necessary to delve into the legal and historical facts connecting the events of 1991 and 1918.
In this article, we will thoroughly analyze the chronology of the 1991 events, explain the essence of Azerbaijan's historical continuity, and discuss why the name and status of this holiday were officially changed in 2021.
The early 1990s marked an era of tectonic shifts on the global geopolitical map. The collapse of the USSR was accompanied by a parade of sovereignties, and Azerbaijan was no exception, although its path to independence was shadowed by tragic events, such as Black January of 1990 in Baku and the escalating conflict in Karabakh.
Key milestones of 1991:
August 30, 1991: At an extraordinary session of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Declaration "On the Restoration of the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan" was adopted. This was the first political step outlining the course toward secession from the USSR.
October 18, 1991: The Supreme Soviet adopted a historic document — the Constitutional Act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan." It was this very day that became the official birth date of the modern independent Azerbaijani state.
December 29, 1991: A nationwide referendum was held. The ballot contained only one question: "Do you support the Constitutional Act on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan?" Over 95% of voters who participated answered affirmatively, granting the document supreme legitimacy.
In May 1992, the Milli Majlis (Parliament) approved the State Anthem, and later the State Flag and the State Emblem, officially restoring the symbols of the first republic.
The most crucial legal detail of the Constitutional Act of October 18, 1991, lies in its content. The document clearly states that the modern Republic of Azerbaijan is the legitimate successor to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), which existed from May 28, 1918, to April 28, 1920.
The ADR went down in history as the first secular democratic parliamentary republic in the Muslim East. During its 23 months of existence, it managed to create an army, a parliament, open Baku State University, and grant women the right to vote (earlier than most European countries and the United States). In 1920, the republic fell as a result of occupation by the 11th Red Army.
Thus, on October 18, 1991, Azerbaijan did not create a new state from scratch but restored its lost sovereignty. This fact holds immense significance for national identity and international law.
For almost thirty years, from 1992 to 2021, the date of October 18 was officially called "Independence Day" (Day of State Independence), while May 28 (the founding day of the ADR in 1918) was celebrated as "Republic Day."
This terminology introduced a certain historical confusion. It appeared as though the primary date of gaining independence (1918) remained in the shadow of the 1991 event.
In the autumn of 2021, after Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity during the 44-day Patriotic War, President Ilham Aliyev initiated a review of the names of historical dates.
On October 15, 2021, the Milli Majlis adopted a new law "On Independence Day." According to this document, the accurate historical chronology was restored:
May 28 (formerly Republic Day) was declared Independence Day. This emphasizes that the foundation of statehood was laid specifically in 1918.
October 18 (formerly Independence Day) was officially renamed the Day of Restoration of Independence.
This decision eliminated semantic contradictions and set the right historical emphasis on the history of Azerbaijani statehood.
For a long time, October 18 was a non-working day. However, according to amendments made to the Labor Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2006, this day (like several other commemorative dates) acquired the status of a working holiday (unless it falls on a weekend).
Despite this, the Day of Restoration of Independence is widely celebrated at both state and public levels:
Educational institutions hold open lessons, conferences, and lectures dedicated to the history of Azerbaijan's path to sovereignty.
Azerbaijani diplomatic missions abroad organize official receptions and cultural events.
The media broadcasts documentary films about the events of the early 90s and the role of historical figures in preserving statehood.
When speaking of October 18, it is impossible not to mention what the country went through after the adoption of the Constitutional Act. The early years of restored independence (1991–1993) were incredibly difficult: a political crisis, economic collapse, and the occupation of territories as a result of the First Karabakh War threatened the very existence of the state.
The turning point was the return to power of Heydar Aliyev in 1993, which made it possible to stabilize the internal situation and attract foreign investment (the "Contract of the Century" in 1994).
Today, the Day of Restoration of Independence is celebrated in entirely new geopolitical realities. While in 1991 the country only declared its sovereignty, by the early 2020s, following the victory in the 2020 Patriotic War and the anti-terrorist measures of 2023, Azerbaijan ensured full state control over its entire territory for the first time in its modern history.
October 18 — the Day of Restoration of Independence — is not just a line in the calendar. It is a tribute to historical memory, a bridge between the founders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918 and today's strong state. This date serves as a reminder that independence is not a given, but a value that must be protected, developed, and passed on to future generations.
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