Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan is observed every year on May 28. In 2026, this date falls on a Thursday. The day marks the proclamation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918 and is connected with Azerbaijan’s modern national statehood. It is a public holiday in Azerbaijan, where it is officially recognized as Independence Day. The observance honors the Declaration of Independence, the creation of representative institutions, and the brief but influential period in which Azerbaijan established the foundations of a parliamentary republic. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

History of Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was proclaimed on May 28, 1918, after the collapse of the Russian Empire and the breakup of the short-lived Transcaucasian federation. Azerbaijani representatives formed the National Council, and the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Tiflis at a meeting chaired by Hasan bey Agayev. Mammad Amin Rasulzade was elected chairman of the National Council, and Fatali Khan Khoyski became one of the central figures in forming the first government. The new republic is remembered as the first democratic parliamentary republic in the Muslim East.

Although the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic lasted only 23 months, it created institutions that became central to Azerbaijan’s national memory. It established a parliament and government, adopted state symbols, worked on borders and military organization, and treated equal civic rights as part of its founding principles. The parliament opened in December 1918 and included representation for different communities living in the country. The republic ended in April 1920, when Bolshevik forces occupied Azerbaijan, but its legacy remained important after the restoration of independence in 1991.

Why is Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan important?

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan is important because it marks the moment when Azerbaijan declared itself an independent state with its own republican institutions. The date is not only a historical anniversary but also a symbol of political self-determination after years of imperial rule. The republic’s leaders worked under difficult wartime and regional conditions, yet they moved quickly to form a parliament, cabinet, army structures, and national symbols. For modern Azerbaijan, May 28 connects the state’s current independence with the republic first proclaimed in 1918.

The day also matters because the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic linked national independence with parliamentary government and civic equality. Its experience was brief, but it showed that democratic institutions could be built in the South Caucasus during a period of upheaval. The republic’s attention to education, culture, state language, and representation gave the date a meaning that goes beyond political ceremony. It is a day for learning about the people, documents, and decisions that shaped Azerbaijan’s national identity.

• It honors the Declaration of Independence adopted in 1918.
• It recognizes Azerbaijan’s early parliamentary tradition.
• It connects modern independence with a historic republic.
• It helps preserve the memory of the republic’s founders.
• It gives students and families a clear date for national history.

How to Observe Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan

Read about the Declaration of Independence, the National Council, and the first parliament to understand why May 28 is such an important date in Azerbaijani history. Schools, cultural institutions, and families can use the day to discuss the republic’s leaders, its state symbols, and the challenges it faced between 1918 and 1920. Visiting museums, watching historical documentaries, or reading speeches and archival materials can make the anniversary more concrete. For people outside Azerbaijan, the day can be an entry point into the country’s history and its place in the South Caucasus.

The observance can also be marked with respectful public and community events. Flag displays, lectures, concerts, and commemorative programs help connect the date with national memory rather than treating it as only a day off. Azerbaijani communities abroad may use the day to share history, music, language, and cultural traditions with younger generations. The strongest observances keep the focus on independence, civic responsibility, and the historical work of building a state under difficult conditions.

• Read a short history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
• Look up the text and meaning of the 1918 Declaration of Independence.
• Visit a museum or cultural exhibit about Azerbaijani history.
• Display the Azerbaijani flag respectfully at home or at an event.
• Share the story of May 28 with younger family members.

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan Dates

1. https://president.az/en/pages/view/azerbaijan/holidays[↩]
2. https://mfa.gov.az/en/news/no13318-statement-by-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-republic-of-azerbaijan-on-the-occasion-of-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-azerbaijan-democratic-republic[↩]
3. https://azerbaijan.az/en/related-information/143[↩]
4. https://president.az/en/pages/view/azerbaijan/history[↩]
5. https://azerbaijan.az/en/related-information/284[↩]