Azerbaijan marks 35th anniversary of restored independence

Azerbaijan marks the 35th anniversary of the restoration of its independence on October 18.

On this day in 1991, the Supreme Soviet adopted the Constitutional Act “On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” officially declaring the restoration of independence. The Act referenced the Declaration of Independence of May 28, 1918, and a statement adopted by the Supreme Soviet on August 30, 1991. It affirmed that the modern republic is the legal successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), established in 1918.

In 1992, the Milli Majlis (Parliament) adopted key state symbols, including the national anthem, the tricolor flag and the national emblem. On October 15, 2021, Parliament passed a bill “On Independence Day,” which was signed into law by President Ilham Aliyev the same day, renaming the former State Independence Day the Day of Restoration of Independence. The day is celebrated annually as a public holiday, though it remains a working day.