Independence Day in 2024

When is Independence Day in Azerbaijan?

Independence Day (Azerbaijani: Istiqlaliyyət günü) is a national holiday in Azerbaijan, though it is not one of the official non-working days. It may also be known as 'State Sovereignty Day'.

It is celebrated on October 18th, on the anniversary of the day in 1991 when Azerbaijan left the USSR.

History of Independence Day in Azerbaijan

This day is essentially the second of two independence days celebrated in Azerbaijan. The first is Republic day which marks the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan on May 28th 1918. This republic only lasted two years before Azerbaijan became part of the Soviet Union.

In 1991, perestroika (social and economic reform) had swept across the Soviet Union leading to many of the countries to declare their independence from the USSR

On August 30th 1991, Azerbaijan made clear its intention to become an independent nation once again when the Declaration on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted by Parliament.

On October 18th 1991 the constitutional act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan" was approved and adopted by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

This made Azerbaijan the sixth country to leave the USSR following Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia and Armenia.

The act of independence was affirmed by a nationwide referendum on 29 December 1991, when the Soviet Union officially ceased to exist.

In 1992, Independence Day was declared a national non-working holiday.  In 2006, the Azerbaijani parliament changed the country's labour code, and on October 18th 2006 its public holiday status was removed.