Spring 1999 (7.1)

Holidays
Dates and Description
Independent Azerbaijan 1999

Jan 1 New Year's Day 1
Jan 20 Martyr's Day Commemorates Black January (1990) when Soviet troops entered Baku and killed more than 180 civilians. Also victims of the Karabakh War (1988) are remembered.
Jan 30 Ramadan 2
Mar 8 Women's Day 1
Mar 20-21 Spring Festival
Apr 8 Sacrifice Day 2
May 28 Republic Day . Founding of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan (1918).
Jun 15 National Salvation Day . Parliament invited Heydar Aliyev to Baku to lead the country (1993).
Oct 8 Army and Navy Day
Oct 18 National Independence Day Dissolution of Soviet Union (1991).
Nov 12 Constitution Day (1995)
Nov17 National Revival Day . Commemorates the first uprising in Azerbaijan by the Popular Front led by Panakhov against Moscow's policies toward Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (1988).
Dec 31 International Solidarity Day . Azerbaijanis broke down borders separating them from Iran. A day for Azerbaijanis to feel united with each other (1989).

1 Previously observed during Soviet period
2 New Muslim holidays (Lunar calendar)

Holidays - Soviet Azerbaijan (prior to October 18, 1991)

Jan 1 New Year's Day
Feb 23 Soviet Army Day
Mar 8 Women's Day
Apr 28 Azerbaijan becomes part of Soviet Union (1920)
May 1 and 2 Labor Day
May 9 Victory by Soviets against Fascists (World War II)
Jun 1 Children's Day
Oct 9 New Constitution Day. Instituted by Breshnev; during Stalin's era this holiday was celebrated on December 5 to mark the Great October Socialist Revolution.

 From Azerbaijan International (7.1) Spring 1999.
© Azerbaijan International 1999. All rights reserved.

AI Home Page | Magazine Choice | Topics | Store | Contact us