Day of Restoration of Independence (Azerbaijan)
{{Short description|State holiday in Azerbaijan}}
{{Infobox holiday
|image = Stamp of Azerbaijan 394.jpg
|caption = A stamp celebrating the 5th anniversary of independence
|holiday_name = Day of Restoration of Independence
|nickname =
|significance = The day the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1991.
|observedby = {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
|scheduling = same day each year
|date = 18 October
|duration = 1 day
|frequency = annual
|celebrations = Fireworks, Concerts, Parades
|type = State
|alt=|official_name=|litcolor=|begins=|ends=|weekday=|month=|firsttime=|startedby=|relatedto=|image_size=140px}}
The Day of Restoration of Independence ({{langx|az|Azərbaycanda Müstəqilliyin Bərpası Günü}}) is a state holiday in Azerbaijan. It is celebrated annually on October 18. On this day in 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan adopted a Constitutional Act on the Declaration of Independence of Azerbaijan. The declaration was confirmed by a referendum in December 1991.{{Cite web|url=http://www.meclis.gov.az/?/az/content/70|title=Milli Məclis|website=www.meclis.gov.az|access-date=2017-08-09}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.calend.ru/holidays/0/0/678/|title=День независимости Азербайджана|website=Calend.ru|access-date=2017-08-09}}{{Cite news|url=https://anydayguide.com/calendar/1040|title=Independence Day in Azerbaijan / October 18, 2017|last=AnydayGuide|work=AnydayGuide|access-date=2017-09-24|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |url=http://calendr.net/holiday/1615 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-01-20 |archive-date=2018-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016111314/http://calendr.net/holiday/1615 |url-status=dead }}
Until 2021, it was marked as Independence Day. In October 2021, it was renamed and became Day of Restoration of Independence.{{cite web
|url= https://yenisabah.az/milli-meclis-bayramlarin-adlarini-deyisdi |archiveurl = |archivedate = |title= Milli Məclis bayramların adlarını dəyişdi |author= |date= 15 October 2021 |publisher = yenisabah.az |accessdate = 18 October 2021
|language=
Celebrations
The fifth anniversary celebrations of 1996 were the first major celebrations of the holiday.{{Cite web|title=Müstəqil Azərbaycan|url=https://republic.preslib.az/az_e1-6.html|access-date=2020-10-19|website=republic.preslib.az}} Large scale celebrations also took place on the 10th anniversary in 2001.{{Cite web|title=Welcome to Heydar Aliyevs Heritage Research Center|url=https://lib.aliyevheritage.org/en/4891968.html|access-date=2020-11-22|website=lib.aliyevheritage.org}}{{Cite web|title=Welcome to Heydar Aliyevs Heritage Research Center|url=https://lib.aliyevheritage.org/en/4706627.html|access-date=2020-11-22|website=lib.aliyevheritage.org}} In 2017, a military parade was held through the capital of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in honor of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the first military unit and 26th anniversary of the restoration of independence. The event was attended by the President of Nakhchivan Vasif Talibov and Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov.{{Cite web|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/news/nakhchivan-marks-25th-anniversary-of-establishment-of-first-military-unit-holds-military-parade-20384.html|title = Nakhchivan marks 25th anniversary of establishment of first military unit, holds military parade}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/120758.html|title=Military parade held in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan [PHOTO]|date=19 October 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://naxcivantv.az/index.php/ri/6572-nax%C3%A7%C4%B1vanda-ilk-milli-h%C9%99rbi-hiss%C9%99nin-yarad%C4%B1lmas%C4%B1n%C4%B1n-25-ci-ild%C3%B6n%C3%BCm%C3%BC-qeyd-olunub,-h%C9%99rbi-parad-ke%C3%A7irilib.html|title=Naxçıvanda ilk milli hərbi hissənin yaradılmasının 25-ci ildönümü qeyd olunub, hərbi parad keçirilib-YENİLƏNİB}}
= Connected commemorations with Independence Day =
The second parade of independent Azerbaijan was held on Azadliq Square on October 9, 1992, in commemoration of the first anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, and was held also in connection with the anniversary of the restoration of independence. In 1998, the inauguration of Heydar Aliyev coincided with the celebration of Independence Day.{{Cite web|url=http://lib.aliyev-heritage.org/en/31463311.html|title=Historical background to the document "Speech of the Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev in his Inauguration Ceremony (October 18, 1998)"|website=lib.aliyev-heritage.org|url-status=|access-date=2018-04-09}}{{Cite web|url=http://lib.aliyev-heritage.org/en/7958721.html|title=Speech of the Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev in his Inauguration Ceremony - October 18, 1998|website=lib.aliyev-heritage.org|url-status=|access-date=2018-04-09}} A year later, in 1999, the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic were connected with the Independence Day holiday just 6 days later.{{Cite web|title=Welcome to Heydar Aliyevs Heritage Research Center|url=https://lib.aliyevheritage.org/en/648504.html|access-date=2020-11-22|website=lib.aliyevheritage.org}}
Foreign commemorations
In 2020, Canada's Niagara Falls were lit up in colours of Azerbaijani flag to mark Independence Day.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/g4XG_anVnSY Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20201021034235/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4XG_anVnSY Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4XG_anVnSY| title = Canada: Niagara Falls lit up in colours of Azerbaijani flag to mark Independence Day | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} That same year, a Turkish delegation led by Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Sentop visited Baku to participate in the celebrations, in a show of support for Azerbaijan after the Ganja ballistic missile attacks.{{Cite web|title=Official web-site of President of Azerbaijan Republic - NEWS » Receptions|url=https://en.president.az/articles/43555|access-date=2020-10-19|website=en.president.az|language=en}}
Gallery
File:Stamp of Azerbaijan 763.jpg|A stamp celebrating the 15th anniversary of independence.
See also
References
{{Public holidays in Azerbaijan}}
Category:1991 establishments in Azerbaijan
Category:Public holidays in Azerbaijan
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