The Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) proudly commemorates the sixth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Victory Day and the liberation of the historic city of Shusha, a defining moment in the history of the Azerbaijani people.
On November 8, 2020, after 44 days of war, the Azerbaijani flag was raised over Shusha, a city that had remained under occupation since 1992. The liberation of Shusha became the decisive turning point of the Second Karabakh War and November 8 was subsequently established as Victory Day in Azerbaijan.
For nearly three decades, hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis lived with the pain of displacement from their homes and the loss of their ancestral lands. The 2020 war resulted in the liberation of more than 300 settlements, including the cities of Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli and Shusha, bringing an end to nearly 30 years of occupation.
Shusha holds a special place in the heart and history of Azerbaijan. Founded in 1752, the city became one of the great centers of Azerbaijani culture, music, literature and intellectual life. Its liberation on November 8, 2020, therefore represented not only a military achievement, but also the return of a historic cultural symbol to Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijan Society of America solemnly honors the memory of the brave Azerbaijani soldiers and officers who gave their lives defending their homeland. Their courage and sacrifice will forever remain a part of Azerbaijan’s national history.
We also honor the families of the fallen, the veterans who carried the burden of war, and the Azerbaijani people whose resilience preserved their connection to their homeland throughout decades of displacement.
Victory Day is a day of national pride, remembrance and gratitude. It is a day to remember that behind every victory are human lives, families, sacrifices and generations who refused to forget their homeland.
For Azerbaijani-Americans, this anniversary carries a special meaning. From the United States, we proudly stand with our fellow Azerbaijanis in remembering this historic chapter and celebrating the resilience of a nation that preserved its culture, identity and hope through difficult decades.
Today, Azerbaijan is rebuilding and restoring its liberated territories. Shusha, once devastated by decades of conflict and occupation, is again emerging as a center of Azerbaijani cultural life. The Great Return of displaced Azerbaijanis to their ancestral homes represents another important chapter in this history.
As we commemorate this sixth anniversary, the Azerbaijan Society of America believes that the greatest tribute to those who sacrificed their lives is to build a future worthy of their sacrifice a future of peace, stability, prosperity and opportunity.
The Azerbaijan Society of America extends its heartfelt congratulations to the people of Azerbaijan and to Azerbaijanis around the world on the sixth anniversary of Victory Day.
Azerbaijan Society of America
New York, United States
