Azerbaijan observes Independence Day with focus on 1918 statehood legacy

Today, May 28, Azerbaijan is celebrating Independence Day, commemorating the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) in 1918.

The ADR was the first democratic parliamentary republic in the East and adopted state symbols including a flag, coat of arms and national anthem. Its tricolour flag symbolised the ideas of Turkism, Islam and modern European values.

However, the republic existed for only 23 months. On April 28, 1920, the 11th Red Army of Soviet Russia entered Baku, and the ADR was dissolved.

Since 1990, May 28 has been observed in Azerbaijan as Republic Day. In October 2021, the Milli Majlis approved a proposal to mark May 28 annually as Independence Day, while October 18 was designated as Restoration of Independence Day.