On this day, 36 years ago, as a result of the ruthless aggression carried out by the Soviet army against the civilian population in the capital city of Baku and other regions of Azerbaijan, 150 civilians were killed, 744 people were seriously injured, and 4 people went missing.
The tragedy of 20 January was an attempt to suppress the legitimate aspirations of the Azerbaijani people for freedom, national dignity, and sovereignty. However, this act of violence could not break the will of the Azerbaijani people. On the contrary, it has further strengthened the determination of the people of Azerbaijan to restore independence, fight against mass deportations and occupation policies by Armenia, and fully exercise its sovereign rights.
The sacrifice of the martyrs of 20 January played a fundamental role in restoring the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1991. This pivotal moment also had a decisive influence on the formation of Azerbaijan's national identity.
After the return of Heydar Aliyev - the national leader of Azerbaijan, to power in 1994, the events of 20 January were given political and legal assessment, and the names of those responsible were made public. 20 January was thus declared a National Mourning Day in Azerbaijan and became known as Black January in the history of Azerbaijan.
The patriotism, unity, and spirit of resistance demonstrated by the Azerbaijani people on 20 January fulfilled its historical mission in the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020 and during the antiterror operations of 2023. Under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani army liberated its territories from Armenian occupation and restored the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country in accordance with international law.
On this mournful and at the same time proud day, the Azerbaijanis around the world honor the memory of all martyrs and heroes of 20 January, who gave their lives for the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.
