National days
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 81944
Anniversary
Deportation of the Balkars — day of remembrance
On 8 March 1944 the entire Balkar people was deported from the Caucasus to Central Asia. They could return only in 1957.
Read more →March 181915
Anniversary
Türkiye — Martyrs' Day and the Çanakkale victory
On 18 March 1915 the combined British and French fleet failed to force the Dardanelles. The day honours all of Türkiye's fallen.
Read more →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 181944
Anniversary
Deportation of the Crimean Tatars — day of remembrance
On 18 May 1944 the entire Crimean Tatar people was deported from their homeland to Central Asia. Tens of thousands died on the way and in the first years.
Read more →May 31
Anniversary
Kazakhstan — Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repression and Famine
The victims of Soviet repression and of the 1930–1933 famine (Asharshylyk) are remembered.
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July
July 152016
Anniversary
Türkiye — Democracy and National Unity Day
On the night of 15 July 2016 a coup attempt was repelled as people took to the streets; more than 250 people were killed. The day commemorates them.
September
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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November
November 21943
Anniversary
Deportation of the Karachays — day of remembrance
On 2 November 1943 the entire Karachay people was deported from the Caucasus to Central Asia. They could return only in 1957.
Read more →November 101938
Anniversary
Türkiye — Atatürk Remembrance Day
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye, died at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul at 9:05 a.m. on 10 November 1938. Every year at that minute the country stops for a moment of silence.
Read more →November 151944
Anniversary
Deportation of the Meskhetian Turks — day of remembrance
On 15 November 1944 the Meskhetian Turks were deported from their homeland in Georgia to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
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