Azerbaijan's Historic Day: May 28Th's Significance

On May 28, 1918, the National Council of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic signed the Declaration of Independence, marking the first secular, democratic state in the Muslim East and the first Muslim-majority country to grant women the right to vote. Azerbaijan's Independence Day is celebrated annually on May 28, honouring the nation's independence and rich history.

Azerbaijan's Independence Day

For centuries, Azerbaijan had been subjugated by neighbouring powers, including Iran and the Russian Empire. However, the fall of the Tsarist government in Russia in 1917 and the subsequent February Revolution sparked a national movement for freedom among the Azerbaijani people. On 28 May 1918, the National Council of Azerbaijan, meeting in Tiflis (present-day Tbilisi), signed the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the nation's sovereignty to the world.

The ADR was a significant milestone in the history of Azerbaijan. It was the first secular, democratic parliamentary republic in the Muslim and Turkic world, and it granted women the right to vote, making Azerbaijan one of the first countries globally and the first majority-Muslim nation to do so. The ADR also established Baku State University, the first modern university in the country.

Unfortunately, the young republic lasted only 23 months. In April 1920, the Soviet Union invaded, and Azerbaijan lost its independence for the next seven decades. During this period, the country became part of the Soviet Union and was known as the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.

It was not until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 that Azerbaijan regained its independence. Since then, the country has celebrated 28 May as a national holiday, paying homage to the ADR and its legacy. The day is marked by ceremonies, concerts, and parades across the country, with the highest officials laying a wreath at the Republic Monument in Baku. It is a time for Azerbaijanis to come together and honour their country's struggle for freedom and its rich cultural heritage.

Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR)

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), also known as the Azerbaijan People's Republic, was the first secular democratic republic in the Turkic and Muslim worlds. It was founded on 28 May 1918, after the collapse of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic, and ceased to exist on 28 April 1920. The ADR was established by the Azerbaijani National Council in Tiflis, with Mammad Amin Rasulzadeh as its founder and chairman.

The ADR's borders included Russia to the north, the Democratic Republic of Georgia to the northwest, the Republic of Armenia to the west, and Iran to the south, with a population of around 3 million. The city of Ganja served as the temporary capital, as Baku was under Bolshevik control.

Under the ADR, a parliamentary system was developed, with a Parliament elected on the basis of universal, free, and proportionate representation. The Council of Ministers was responsible to this Parliament. Fatali Khan Khoyski became the first prime minister, and the Musavat Party dominated the political landscape. The Parliament achieved several notable accomplishments, including extending suffrage to women, making Azerbaijan the first majority-Muslim nation to grant women equal political rights. The Parliament also established Baku State University, the first modern university in the country.

The ADR's early years were marked by territorial disputes with neighbouring countries, including the First Republic of Armenia and the Democratic Republic of Georgia. Despite these challenges, the ADR pursued a neutral policy regarding the Russian Civil War and established diplomatic relations with several states. However, the young republic faced threats from both the nascent Soviet Union and Armenian forces.

The fall of the ADR came in April 1920, as the Soviet Red Army reached Azerbaijan's borders and the Communist Party issued an ultimatum. The ADR officially ceased to exist on 28 April 1920, when it was occupied by the Soviet 11th Army, and was replaced by the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.

The legacy of the ADR is significant, as it laid the foundation for the re-establishment of Azerbaijan's independence in 1991. The modern Republic of Azerbaijan recognises the principles of the ADR and has adopted its national flag and several national holidays linked to it.

The first secular, democratic state in the Muslim East

On 28 May 1918, the National Council of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring Azerbaijan's independence from the Russian Empire and the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic. This marked the foundation of the first secular democratic state in the Muslim East, which at the time was known as the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR).

The ADR was the first parliamentary republic and the first democratic, legal, and secular state in the Turkic and Islamic worlds. It was founded by Mammad Amin Rasulzadeh and lasted for 23 months until the Soviet Union invaded Azerbaijan in April 1920.

The ADR extended suffrage to women, making Azerbaijan one of the first countries in the world, and the first majority-Muslim nation, to grant women equal political rights with men. The adoption of the Declaration of Independence also made the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic the first modern republic in the Islamic world.

The independent Republic of Azerbaijan is the legal successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, and 28 May is now celebrated as Independence Day in Azerbaijan.

The first Muslim-majority country to grant women the right to vote

On 28 May 1918, the National Council of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring the country's independence from Russia. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was the first secular democratic state in the Muslim East, and it existed for 23 months from 1918 to 1920.

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic extended suffrage to women, making it the first Muslim-majority country to grant women equal political rights with men. This was one of the important accomplishments of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, along with being the first parliamentary republic and the first democratic, legal, and secular state in the Turkic and Islamic world.

The laws adopted by the new parliament played a key role in strengthening national independence, ensuring political, economic, and cultural development, and establishing democratic principles. During this time, democratic institutions were established, and great work was done in army building.

The independent Republic of Azerbaijan is the legal successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and continues to celebrate its independence on 28 May.

The Azerbaijan National Identity Restoration Day

On May 28, 1918, the National Council of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) signed the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming Azerbaijan's independence to the world. This historic event is commemorated annually as Republic Day or Azerbaijan National Identity Restoration Day, a national holiday in Azerbaijan.

The establishment of the ADR marked a significant milestone in the country's history, as it was the first secular democratic state in the Muslim East and the first parliamentary republic in the Turkic and Islamic world. The ADR was founded on the principles of freedom and self-determination, with a parliament elected based on universal, free, and proportional representation serving as the supreme organ of state authority.

One of the ADR's most notable achievements was extending suffrage to women, making Azerbaijan one of the first countries in the world and the first majority-Muslim nation to grant women equal political rights. This groundbreaking move symbolised the restoration of the national identity of a nation that had been subjugated to its neighbours, first to Iran and later to the Russian Empire, for many years. The ADR also established Baku State University, the first modern-type university in Azerbaijan.

The young republic had diplomatic relations with several states during its brief existence from 1918 to 1920. Unfortunately, its independence was short-lived as the Soviet Union invaded in April 1920, and Azerbaijan became part of the Soviet Union.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan regained its independence, and May 28 was designated as Azerbaijan Republic Day to pay homage to the ADR. The day is marked by ceremonies, concerts, and parades celebrating Azerbaijan's history and culture, with a focus on honouring the restoration of the country's national identity and its rich traditions of statehood.

In 2021, the holiday was renamed Independence Day, and October 18 became the new Restoration of Independence Day. However, May 28 remains a significant date in the hearts of Azerbaijanis, serving as an annual reminder of their proud history and the restoration of their national identity.

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