Today, Azerbaijan celebrates its national holiday - Independence Day.
On May 28, 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) was established, marking a historic milestone.
Although the ADR existed only 23 months, it laid the foundations for statehood, including parliament, army, and education.
The Declaration of Independence adopted on that day affirmed the nation's sovereignty.
After centuries under Tsarist Russia, Azerbaijan achieved self-determination.
The ADR was the first democratic republic in the Muslim East. It fell to Bolshevik invasion in April 1920.
Independence Day was reinstated as a state holiday after 1991. May 28 is a non-working day.
President Ilham Aliyev declared 2018 the "Year of the ADR", celebrating its centenary.
Today, the tricolor flag flies over liberated Karabakh. The 44-day war restored territorial integrity.
