Today, on Oct.18, Azerbaijan is celebrating the State Independence Day. Thanks to the favorable historical condition established after collapsing of the Soviet Union at late 20th century, Azerbaijani people gained their independence in the 20th century for the second time. It was the second prominent achievement in the political history of our people.

Thanks to the activity of the democratic powers in Russia it was impossible to suppress non-subordination to the central power and wish for independence in the Republic. At the meeting called out of order under the will of the people on June 30 in 1991 the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted a declaration about restoration of the state independence of the republic of Azerbaijan.

On Oct. 18 in 1991 the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted Constitutional Act 'About the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan'.

The referendum held in the Republic of Azerbaijan on Dec. 29. The bulletin of the referendum reflected a question: 'Do you support the Constitutional Act 'About the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan' adopted by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan?'
Azerbaijan people unanimously supported the state independence.

In May 1992 Milli Medjlis (National Assembly) adopted the State hymn (music by Uzeyir Hajibeyov, words by Ahmed Javad) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and soon after it, three coloured flag and the state anthem in the form of 8-point star with fire in the centre of it.

Azerbaijan is an independent and a sovereign state since Oct. 18, 1991 which we celebrated as a holiday.