Armed Forces Day in Azerbaijan in 2025

 Armed Forces Day in Azerbaijan in 2025
The official military parade in 2013 on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Armed Forces. Image by Presidential Press and Information Office
  How long until Armed Forces Day?
Armed Forces Day
  Dates of Armed Forces Day in Azerbaijan
2026 Azerbaijan Fri, Jun 26 National Holiday
2025 Azerbaijan Thu, Jun 26 National Holiday
2024 Azerbaijan Wed, Jun 26 National Holiday
2023 Azerbaijan Mon, Jun 26 National Holiday
2022 Azerbaijan Mon, Jun 27 National Holiday (in lieu)
  Summary

In 1918 a Muslim Corps was renamed to Detached Corps of Azerbaijan with the establishment of the Azerbaijan Republic

  Local name
Azərbaycan Respublikasının Silahlı Qüvvələri günü

When is Azerbaijan Armed Forces' Day?

Armed Forces' Day is a nonworking day observed in Azerbaijan on June 26th each year.

This day commemorates the establishment of the Armed Forces of modern Azerbaijan in 1918.

History of Azerbaijan Armed Forces' Day

In May 1918 Azerbaijan had declared its independence from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic after the collapse of the Russian Empire, forming the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

To protect the new nation, on June 26th 1918, a Muslim Corps, established by a decision of the Special Transcaucasian Committee, was renamed to the Detached Corps of Azerbaijan.

The Military Ministry was established in August 1918, but the renaming of the soldiers is seen as the birth of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

Around 25,000 soldiers were recruited and the government allocated 24% of the state budget for military purposes. By August 1 of the same year, the newly established Military Ministry took over the armed forces. The first solemn parade of the national army took place in 1919.

In April 1920, the ADR was occupied by the Bolshevik forces, and Azerbaijan was later incorporated into the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan formed its independent national army once again.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan were re-established according to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan and this day was recognised when the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan passed a law "On the Establishment of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan".

In May 1998 according to Decree No. 707 issued by Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, June 26th was declared a non-working holiday, the Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan.

The modern armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan comprise the Land Forces, the Air and Air Defense Forces, and the Navy. The National Guard, the State Border Service, and the Internal Troops of Azerbaijan are considered associated forces.


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