Key National Holidays
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 20: Day of the Martyrs—Remembrance of Black January 1990, a violent crackdown against Azerbaijani independence movement during the separation from the Soviet Union that resulted in several deaths
March 8: Women’s Day—A celebration of appreciation and respect toward women
March 21: Novruz Bayrami—Celebrated on the first day of spring, a popular holiday associated with rebirth and renewal.
May 9: Victory in World War II Day—Marks the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union during World War II
May 28: Republic Day—Commemorates the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan (1918-20)
June 15: National Salvation Day—Celebrates the 1993 arrival of Heydar Aliyev from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to Baku to lead Azerbaijan.
June 26: Army and Navy Day—A day to honor the Azerbaijani Army and Navy forces.
October 18: National Independence Day—Celebrates Azerbaijan’s 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.
November 12: Constitution Day—Marks the day the Constitution of Azerbaijan was adopted.
November 17: Day of National Revival—Observes the anniversary of 1988 mass protests by Azerbaijanis against the actions of Armenia and the Soviet Union within Azerbaijan.
December 31: Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis throughout the World—Recalls a 1989 call to action by Azerbaijanis for the Soviet Union to remove the borders between Soviet Azerbaijan and Iran.