Baku, Nivember 9, 2025 – The Europe Today: Azerbaijan today marks National Flag Day, a symbol of the country’s independence, sovereignty, and enduring national pride. The celebration is observed annually on November 9, following a presidential decree issued by President Ilham Aliyev on November 17, 2009, designating the date as a national holiday.
Since the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence, the National Flag has stood as one of the most sacred state symbols, representing the unity, freedom, and identity of the Azerbaijani people. The tricolor flag — blue, red, and green with a white crescent and an eight-pointed star — is a proud relic of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) and reflects the nation’s dedication to liberty, spiritual values, and universal ideals.
The National Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan was originally adopted on November 9, 1918, by the government of the Democratic Republic and remained the state flag until April 1920. Decades later, on November 17, 1990, under the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the flag was approved as the National Flag of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, paving the way for its reinstatement as a state symbol.
On February 5, 1991, the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan formally adopted the law “On the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” officially restoring its state status. Following this, the Constitutional Act “On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, adopted on October 18, 1991, reaffirmed the flag as one of the key symbols of independent Azerbaijan.
The legislative framework governing the use of the national flag was further strengthened by the Law “On the Rules for the Use of the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, enacted on June 8, 2004. Under this law, the flag is prominently hoisted on state institutions, diplomatic missions, and during major international events, official ceremonies, and cultural and sports gatherings, symbolizing national unity and pride.
In November 2009, an amendment to the Labor Code officially designated November 9 as a public holiday, ensuring that National Flag Day is celebrated nationwide as a non-working day.
Today, as Azerbaijan commemorates this significant occasion, the national flag continues to wave proudly across the country and beyond, serving as a powerful emblem of sovereignty, independence, and the enduring spirit of the Azerbaijani people.
