Azerbaijan Society of America Commemorates January 20: A Defining Moment in Azerbaijan’s Path to Democracy

January 20 — The Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) commemorates January 20, 1990, a pivotal and tragic chapter in Azerbaijan’s modern history that marked the nation’s irreversible commitment to freedom, sovereignty, and democratic self-determination.

On the night of January 19–20, 1990, remembered as Black January, Soviet military forces entered Baku and other regions of Azerbaijan, killing and injuring hundreds of peaceful civilians. The violent crackdown was intended to suppress Azerbaijan’s growing movement for independence and democratic reform. Instead, it strengthened the resolve of the Azerbaijani people and accelerated the country’s path toward sovereignty.

January 20 stands as a solemn reminder of the price paid by Azerbaijan’s citizens in pursuit of freedom, the bravery and sacrifice of those who lost their lives transformed national grief into a collective determination to build an independent and democratic state.

The events of Black January exposed the incompatibility of authoritarian rule with the aspirations of the Azerbaijani people. In the aftermath, public trust in the Soviet system collapsed, and the independence movement gained unprecedented momentum. Less than two years later, Azerbaijan restored its independence, laying the foundation for the modern Republic of Azerbaijan.

Today, January 20 is honored as a National Day of Mourning in Azerbaijan and across the global Azerbaijani diaspora. It is a day to remember the victims, support their families, and reaffirm the enduring values of freedom, dignity, and national unity.

The Azerbaijan Society of America calls on policymakers, educators, and human rights advocates to recognize January 20 as an important historical lesson on the universal struggle for democracy and the consequences of state violence against peaceful civilian populations.

Honoring the past means strengthening our commitment to democratic principles, human rights, and peaceful civic engagement, values for which the victims of Black January gave their lives.

The Azerbaijan Society of America remains committed to promoting awareness of Azerbaijan’s history, supporting democratic dialogue, and fostering greater understanding between Azerbaijan and the United States.