Happy Independence Day Azerbaijan!

31 years has passed since the Azerbaijan National Assembly declared the restoration of Azerbaijan's Independence on October 18, 1991.  Members of the Azerbaijan Society of America remember when we first heard that great news in 1991, news we had been waiting to hear all our lives.  Our memories for that moment will never fade away. There we were, Azerbaijani-Americans sitting in our American homes, yet spiritually joined with Azerbaijan and its people as we shared an unspeakable common joy. This was a joy we will never forget as long as we live; a joy of having an Independent Azerbaijan!  We remember seeing for the very first time the flag of the nation of Azerbaijan being raised in front of the United Nations in New York. We cried and hugged each other with joy. Seeing the flag of our nation being raised meant so much more than just a beautiful piece of cloth high up in the sky. Our flag represents hope and determination; our pride and fortitude; our strength and perseverance; our love and aspirations. 

 As Azerbaijani-Americans, we are proud of so many things Independent Azerbaijan achieved in just 31 years.

The utmost importance and pride of all Azerbaijanis is the reinstatement of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The first years of Azerbaijan's Independence have gone through serious hardships. Armenia launched a full-blown military aggression against Azerbaijan and 20 percent Internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan was occupied.

In 2020, guided by the decisions of international organizations, the leadership of Azerbaijan began military actions to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as a result of patriotism, heroism, struggle and high professionalism displayed by the Azerbaijani army, the occupied territories were liberated within 44 days.

We can also look way back, established in 1957 by the descendants of the founding fathers of the first Azerbaijani Republic in 1918, the Azerbaijan Society of America was the first and only organization that represented the Azerbaijani voice in America when our country was behind the Iron Curtain. It was the first organization to build Azerbaijani House in the U.S. and the first to raise the Azerbaijani tri-color flag, representing the spirit of freedom of our people in America, even when that flag was banned in Soviet Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan Society of America has helped in many ways to increase Americans understanding of Azerbaijan, its culture, its history and its identity for the 34 years prior to the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991. America, this great country, gave us the freedom to continue to keep Azerbaijan alive.

The Independence of Azerbaijan is the national and spiritual wealth of the entire Azerbaijani peoples.

 Azerbaijan Independence is Eternal.

 Happy Independence Day Azerbaijan!