Azerbaijan Celebrates National Holiday: May 28 – Independence Day
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Today, Azerbaijan marks its national holiday, Independence Day, commemorating 106 years since the establishment of the first democratic republic in the East. This historic day, May 28, 1918, saw the declaration of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) by the Azerbaijani National Council, chaired by Mahammad Amin Rasulzade.
The establishment of the ADR was a significant milestone, declared in the building of the Caucasian Viceroy. The declaration by the National Council of Azerbaijan proclaimed:
“From today, as the people of Azerbaijan have the power, Azerbaijan, which covers the South-Eastern Transcaucasia, is a full-fledged independent state. The form of government of the independent Azerbaijani state is the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic will establish friendly relations with all nations, especially neighboring states, and provide all citizens within its borders, regardless of nationality, religion, class, or gender, with political and citizenship rights. The ADR will create opportunities for all nations within its territory for free development. Until the Assembly is elected, the National Council, elected by the people, and the Provisional Government, responsible before the National Council, will govern the state.”
As Rasulzade held talks with the Ottoman Empire in Batumi regarding Azerbaijan’s independence, the Declaration of Independence was announced under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Hasan bey Agayev. The meeting was chaired by Mustafa Mahmudov, with participation from notable figures including Akbar Aga Sheykhulislamov, Mehdi bey Hajibababayov, and others.
The first interim government of the ADR, led by Fatali Khan Khoyski, was approved at this meeting. The government composition included:
- Fatali Khan Khoyski – Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Internal Affairs
- Khosrov Pasha bey Sultanov – Minister of Defence
- Mammadhasan Hajinski – Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Nasib bey Yusifbeyli – Minister of Finance and Minister of Public Education
- Khalil bey Khasmammadov – Minister of Justice
- Mammadyusif Jafarov – Minister of Trade and Industry
- Akbar Aga Sheikhulislamov – Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Labor
- Khudadat bey Malik-Aslanov – Minister of Roads and Minister of Post and Telegraph
- Jamo bey Hajinski – State Inspector
Due to Bolshevik-Dashnak control over Baku, the government initially operated from Ganja. On September 15, 1918, following fierce battles, Baku was liberated by the National Army of the ADR and the Caucasian Islamic Army led by Nuru Pasha. Subsequently, the Azerbaijani government relocated to Baku.
The Parliament of Azerbaijan officially opened on December 7, 1918, in the building of Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev’s girls’ school. Mahammad Amin Rasulzade delivered a congratulatory speech, and Alimardan bey Topchubashov was elected chairman, with Hasan bey Agayev as his first deputy. While Topchubashov attended the Paris Peace Conference, Agayev presided over the parliament.
During its brief existence, the ADR parliament passed around 230 of the 270 submitted bills, with contributions from MPs across 11 factions. The ADR made significant strides in gender equality, military formation, currency issuance, economic reforms, and international recognition of Azerbaijan’s independence. However, the ADR was overthrown on April 28, 1920, by Bolshevik forces.
In recognition of this historic day, May 28 was declared Independence Day by President Ilham Aliyev on October 15, 2021. Previously, it was observed as Republic Day.
