Public holiday in Azerbaijan
Martyrs' Day in Azerbaijan
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
Martyrs' Day in Azerbaijan is a nationwide public holiday observed on 20 January. It commemorates those killed during Black January in 1990.
About Martyrs' Day in Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, Martyrs' Day is the annual national day of mourning for the victims of the events of 20 January 1990 in Baku. It is observed across the country and is associated with remembrance, grief and respect rather than celebration. The date falls close to other winter commemorations in the Azerbaijani calendar, but its meaning is distinct: it focuses on a specific episode in modern Azerbaijani history and the people who died there.
History
The day marks Black January, when Soviet troops entered Baku in 1990 and many civilians were killed. The dead became known in Azerbaijan as martyrs, and 20 January later became an official day of remembrance.
Traditions
People commonly visit graves and memorials, especially the Alley of Martyrs in Baku, and lay flowers in remembrance. Red carnations are closely associated with the day and are often seen at memorial sites.
How Martyrs' Day is celebrated in Azerbaijan
Martyrs' Day is observed as a solemn public holiday. National mourning is expressed through visits to cemeteries and memorials, official remembrance ceremonies, and the display of floral tributes at places connected with the 1990 events.
Interesting facts
The main memorial site linked to the day is the Alley of Martyrs in Baku, where many of the victims are buried. The holiday is fixed on 20 January and is observed nationwide in Azerbaijan.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 Jan 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.