National days · Azerbaijan
Holidays, state days and days of remembrance — the calendar of the Turkic world, month by month.
January
January 201990
Anniversary
Azerbaijan — 20 January, Day of National Mourning
On the night of 19–20 January 1990 Soviet troops entered Baku and more than a hundred civilians were killed. The day is marked every year at the Alley of Martyrs.
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February
February 261992
Anniversary
Khojaly Genocide Day
On the night of 25–26 February 1992 a mass killing of civilians took place in the town of Khojaly; according to official figures 613 people were killed.
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March
March 21
Holiday
Nowruz
The festival of spring and nature's awakening. Celebrated across the Turkic world with bonfires, sprouted wheat and festive tables; on UNESCO's intangible heritage list since 2009.
March 311918
Anniversary
Day of the Genocide of Azerbaijanis
In March and April 1918 thousands of Azerbaijanis were killed in Baku, Shamakhi, Guba and other regions. The day of remembrance was established in 1998.
May
May 281918
Holiday
Azerbaijan — Independence Day
On 28 May 1918 the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was proclaimed in Tiflis — the first democratic republic of the Muslim East.
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June
June 151993
Holiday
Azerbaijan — National Salvation Day
In June 1993 the country faced the threat of civil conflict. On 15 June Heydar Aliyev was elected Chairman of the Supreme Council; the day is an official holiday.
June 261918
Holiday
Azerbaijan — Armed Forces Day
On 26 June 1918 the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic created its first national military unit, the Separate Azerbaijani Corps.
July
July 221875
Historical event
Azerbaijan — National Press Day
On 22 July 1875 Hasan bey Zardabi published Akinchi in Baku, the first newspaper in the Azerbaijani language.
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August
August 12001
Holiday
Day of the Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language
From 1 August 2001 all official writing in Azerbaijan switched to the Latin-based alphabet. The day celebrates the language and its script.
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September
September 151918
Historical event
Liberation of Baku (1918)
On 15 September 1918 the Caucasus Islamic Army under Nuri Pasha liberated Baku, which became the capital of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
Read more →September 181885
Holiday
Azerbaijan — National Music Day
Birthday of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, composer of the first opera in the Muslim East. National Music Day has been marked in his honour since 1995.
Read more →September 272020
Anniversary
Azerbaijan — Remembrance Day
The day honours the martyrs of the 44-day Patriotic War, which began on 27 September 2020.
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October
October 32009
Historical event
Founding of the Organization of Turkic States
On 3 October 2009 the Nakhchivan Agreement founded the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, renamed the Organization of Turkic States in 2021.
Read more →October 181991
Holiday
Azerbaijan — Independence Restoration Day
On 18 October 1991 the Constitutional Act on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted.
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November
November 82020
Holiday
Azerbaijan — Victory Day
On 8 November 2020 the city of Shusha was liberated — the decisive victory of the 44-day Patriotic War.
Read more →November 91918
Holiday
Azerbaijan — National Flag Day
On 9 November 1918 the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic adopted the blue, red and green flag with a crescent and eight-pointed star.
November 121995
Holiday
Azerbaijan — Constitution Day
On 12 November 1995 the first Constitution of independent Azerbaijan was adopted by referendum.
November 171988
Holiday
Azerbaijan — National Revival Day
On 17 November 1988 a mass national movement began in Baku's central square, today's Freedom Square.
December
December 311989
Holiday
World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day
On 31 December 1989 people in Nakhchivan tore down the border installations along the Araz, showing their wish to reunite with kin on the other side. It has been a holiday since 1991.
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