(MENAFN- AzerNews) By Amina Nazarli
October 18, a remarkable day in the history of Azerbaijan, marks re-established independence of the country after the end of the Soviet Union.
This became the second brilliant victory in the political history of the nation inthe 20th century.
The 26th anniversary of Azerbaijan's Independence Act,is recognized as themost glorious day in the nation's modernhistory.
By this document, Azerbaijan was declared the successor of the first democratic republic in the Muslim world -- Azerbaijan Democratic Republic established in 1918, which fell as a result of the occupation of Azerbaijan by Bolshevik Russia, existing for 23 months.
The newly independent country announced itself a legal heir of the ADR and adopted its state symbols -- flag, emblem and anthem.
The internal political situation deteriorated in the country in 1991. The growing influence of the democratic forces, the difficult economic situation, the tragedy of January 20 [Bloody January],and growing conflict with Armenia led to a new blow of protestsin the country.
People were tired of seventy-year-old Soviet dictatorship and demanded decisive action fromthe country's leadership.The Azerbaijani people did not stop dreaming of establishing a state free from foreign domination.
On these emotional days for all Azerbaijanis, the people filled the streets, impatiently waiting for the approval of the Act of Independence.
The human excitement in the squares reached its climax. By feeling liberty, people were willing to do anything to bring it closer. It was the nation, 'seasoned in lengthy meetings in the square, remembering the horrors of January 1990 -- 'Bloody January, when 26,000 hostile and aggressive-minded Soviet special forces called "Alfa" entered Baku to commit atrocities against the Azerbaijani people, storming and murdering hundreds of civilians without declaring a state of emergency.
Now, the imperial tanks were no longer able to block the path to freedom. Azerbaijan, which lost hundreds of its sons and daughters in the struggle for independence, was persistently advancing towards a new life, a new reality.
Finally, the long-awaited day has come! In the fall of 1991, after in-depthdebate on the adoption of the Constitutional Act on Independence, a new era has startedin the history of Azerbaijan.
A nationwide vote on December 29, 1991 was held in the country to prove the world that this is an act of democratic character and is supported by the entire population. The ballot paper of the referendum included only one question: "Do you support the Constitutional Act on the state Independence of Azerbaijan?" Over 95 percent of voters took part in the referendum and unanimously voted for independence.
After gaining independence in a complex political environment, young Azerbaijan, needed international recognition of its sovereignty.
And the first step was made by the brotherly country Turkey, which recognized the independence on November 9, 1991. A total of 50 countries recognized the independence of Azerbaijan by January 1992.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
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