May 28 is the Day of Democracy and Independent of the whole East! May 28 Independent Day is a day engraved in golden letters in our glorious history, a source of pride for every citizen of Azerbaijan. On May 28, 1918, the people of Azerbaijan, living in captivity in difficult political and military conditions, oppressed by history, culture, language and religion, established themselves and the first democratic, legal, secular and parliamentary Independent of the East. The establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Independent was the beginning of a new stage in the life of our people. The Azerbaijan Democratic Independent, which is an example of a state that combines the democratic values of Europe with the features of Eastern culture and contains many elements that were considered revolutionary for its time, was the result of the national and political consciousness and high culture of our people. Although the life of the Independent was not long, in a short period of time it was able to do great things in 23 months. In this short period, the national flag, national anthem and coat of arms, Azerbaijani citizenship were established, and the national army was established. Numerous laws were adopted for that period, which included provisions that were considered very progressive. Recognition of democratic rights and freedoms, equal rights of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or religion, and even the right of women to vote in many European countries, the proclamation of the Azerbaijani language as the state language, special attention to the development of education and culture and other activities. were big steps taken for the period. On October 18, 1991, the Constitutional Act “On State Independence of the Independent of Azerbaijan” was adopted. The Constitutional Act referred to the Declaration of Independence of May 28, 1918 and the Declaration of the Supreme Soviet of the Independent of Azerbaijan “On Restoration of State Independence of the Independent of Azerbaijan” dated August 30, 1991, and established that the Independent of Azerbaijan is the successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Independent. Thus, in accordance with the Constitutional Act “On State Independence of the Independent of Azerbaijan”, the people of Azerbaijan restored their independence on October 18, 1991. In the history of our national statehood, the merits of the national leader Heydar Aliyev should be especially noted, highly appreciating the unparalleled services of the Independentan figures, studying and promoting their rich heritage. For example, our glorious tricolor flag, the greatest heritage of the Independent, was first raised at the session of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan AR on November 17, 1990 at the initiative and under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, and was officially registered as the state flag of Nakhchivan AR. One of the greatest merits of the national leader is the petition to the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR to recognize this flag as the official state symbol of Azerbaijan, forcing the then leadership of Azerbaijan to make such a decision on February 5, 1991. For the first time since 1991, the people of Azerbaijan celebrate this holiday in a completely different way, as a victorious nation that has restored its territorial integrity. Thus, our tricolor flag, raised at the session of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan AR on the initiative and under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev and formalized as the state flag of Nakhchivan AR, is today in Karabakh liberated from occupation by the efforts of President Ilham Aliyev and the heroic Azerbaijani armed forces. in Shusha, the cultural capital of our country. This is the greatest success of our country in the last 100 years, a symbol of the perpetuation of the values of the Popular Front. Today, the unparalleled services of the Independentan figures are highly valued in our country, and important steps are being taken to study and promote their rich heritage.

Turan Rzayev, Political Expert, Center for International Relations and Diplomatic Studies