Martyrs’ Day, also known as the Day of Nationwide Sorrow, is observed annually in Azerbaijan on January 20. This poignant day commemorates the victims of the tragic events that unfolded in Baku in 1990, a day that has since been etched into the national consciousness as Black January. According to the official version of the events, on this fateful day, hundreds of innocent civilians lost their lives at the hands of Soviet troops, marking a significant moment in Azerbaijan’s struggle for independence.
In the lead-up to this dark chapter in Azerbaijani history, widespread protests had erupted across the country, fueled by growing discontent over the Soviet government’s actions in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. As peaceful demonstrations unfolded in Baku, the Soviet authorities, alarmed by the escalating unrest, decided to deploy military forces and impose a state of emergency. At 2 a.m. on January 20, 1990, approximately 20,000 Soviet troops entered Baku, escalating tensions to a breaking point.
Despite the overwhelming military presence, courageous civilians gathered in defiance, determined to assert their rights and express their dissent. Over the course of three harrowing days, clashes erupted, resulting in the deaths of nearly 170 civilians and leaving many more injured.
After Azerbaijan regained its independence from the Soviet Union, Martyrs’ Day was officially declared a national holiday. In 2010, the government honored the memory of the victims by establishing a memorial in the Yasamal District of Baku. This memorial, known as Shekhid Alley (Martyrs’ Lane), features the names of each national hero who perished during the Black January events inscribed on its walls, serving as a lasting tribute to their bravery.
Every year, on January 20, the people of Azerbaijan come together to commemorate this tragic event with a large, solemn procession to the memorial. Participants lay flowers and pay their respects, honoring the memory of those who lost their lives in the pursuit of justice and freedom.