- Anniversary of the 20 January Tragedy – National Mourning Day in Azerbaijan
Every year on 20 January, the people of Azerbaijan observe National Mourning Day, commemorating the victims of the brutal massacre perpetrated by the former Soviet Union on the night of 19-20 January 1990. This day stands as a solemn testament to both profound grief and immense national pride—a pivotal moment when Azerbaijani blood was shed for the ideals of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Historical Context: Provocation and Resistance
The tragedy did not occur in a vacuum. In the late 1980s, the discriminatory policies of Soviet authorities against Azerbaijan were intensified. Fabricated provocations, such as the “Sumgayit events,” were orchestrated to justify Armenia’s unfounded territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Coupled with the mass deportation of Azerbaijanis from the territories of present-day Armenia, these actions fueled the rise of a powerful national liberation movement. The Azerbaijani people, yearning for freedom and justice, began to rally for their rightful cause.
The Night of Horror: A Crime Against Humanity
In a brutal attempt to crush this burgeoning movement, Soviet leadership ordered a military intervention of unprecedented cruelty. On that fateful night, units of the Soviet Army, special forces, and internal troops stormed the cities of Baku, Sumgayit, Lankaran, and Neftchala. Their target was not military installations, but innocent civilians—men, women, children, and the elderly.
This act of military aggression, executed in blatant violation of all international laws and humanitarian norms, resulted in the deaths of 150 peaceful civilians, left 744 seriously wounded, and caused 4 individuals to disappear. The streets of Baku were stained with the blood of its people, marking one of the most heinous state crimes of the 20th century.
Truth and Justice: The Response of a Nation
Despite immediate Soviet efforts to conceal the truth and control the narrative, the world learned of the atrocity. The name of National Leader Heydar Aliyev is forever associated with this act of courage; he was among the first to condemn the massacre internationally from the tribune of the USSR.
Following the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence and Heydar Aliyev’s return to leadership, the nation began a process of historical reckoning. The crimes against the Azerbaijani people, including the 20 January tragedy, received a definitive political and legal assessment. In March 1994, the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted the decisive resolution “On the tragic events committed in Baku on 20 January 1990,” officially recognizing the Soviet aggression and honoring the victims as Martyrs.
From Tragedy to Triumph: The Birth of a Sovereign Nation
Paradoxically, the massacre intended to break the nation’s spirit became the catalyst for its unbreakable unity. 20 January 1990 marked a definitive turning point, accelerating the national liberation movement and hastening the inevitable collapse of the Soviet Empire. The solidarity and sacrifice of that night forged an iron will for independence, which was declared just over a year later.
This unity and determination, tempered in the fires of tragedy, became the bedrock of modern Azerbaijan. It fueled the resolve that led to the glorious victory in the 44-day Patriotic War under the command of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief. That victory in 2020 restored territorial integrity and was decisively culminated by the local anti-terror measures in September 2023, which fully restored Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over its entire territory.
Eternal Memory and Unyielding Resolve
On this 36th anniversary, the nation bows its head in memory of its heroic Martyrs. Their sacrifice was not in vain; it paved the road to freedom, strength, and restoration. We honor their legacy with the deepest gratitude and pledge to preserve the independence for which they gave their lives.
We also extend our heartfelt wishes for health and well-being to the survivors and veterans who carry the physical and emotional wounds of that night and the subsequent struggle.
Their memory is eternal. Their cause is victorious.
Long Live Azerbaijan!
