November 17 - National Revival Day, one of the main stages of the freedom struggle of our people, played a historical role in the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence.

At the end of the last century, the economic, political, moral and ideological foundations of the Soviet Union, which covered one-sixth of the world, were shaken, and the discriminatory policy of the political "think tank" of the empire against the people, especially the Azerbaijani people, was aggravated. With the support of M. Gorbachov's government, Armenians started to make unjust territorial claims against Azerbaijanis in Nagorno-Karabakh. The atrocities committed by Armenians in Topkhana and the murder of two Azerbaijanis in Aghdam inflamed the national feelings in Baku. The people who experienced independence in the early 20th century felt that a historic opportunity arose to realize their dreams of independence. On November 17, 1988, large-scale demonstrations of the Azerbaijani people broke out in Azadlig (Freedom) Square (former Lenin Square), considered the main square of Baku. A large number of people gathered in the square to oppose Moscow's anti-Azerbaijani policy. Although the rallies were suppressed by the internal troops of the USSR in early December, Moscow failed to stop the national liberation movement of the Azerbaijani people.        

Starting in 1988, the national liberation movement gained momentum in Azerbaijan. The nature of the demands voiced in Azadlig Square, where millions of people gathered, gradually changed, and the idea of creating an independent state became dominant in national thought.  

On September 23, 1989, the adoption of the Constitutional Law on the sovereignty of Azerbaijan by the Supreme Soviet, further annoyed Moscow, and on the night of January 19-20, 1990, the Soviet army rolled into Baku. Heavy equipment and firearms were used against the rally participants. Hundreds of protesters and civilians were killed. But this event could not break the national pride of our people. On the contrary, it accelerated the liberation movement.

On November 17, 1990, the first session of the Supreme Council of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was held. The words "Soviet" and "socialist" were removed from the name of the Autonomous Republic. During this period, when the Soviet Union had not yet disappeared from the historical stage, the removal of the words "Soviet" and "socialist" from Nakhchivan's name was a major historical milestone. This action was taken by the national leader Heydar Aliyev, and it represented the first crucial move in the revival of our national statehood. During this historic session chaired by Heydar Aliyev, the issue of the state symbols of the Autonomous Republic was also discussed. Following discussions by the People's Deputies, a proposal was put forward to adopt the tricolour flag as the state symbol. The session that issued a decision on the restoration of the tricolour flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic filed a petition before the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan regarding its acceptance as the state flag. This marked the beginning of the historical path leading from national revival to national progress.    
            
In 1988, at a time when the popular movement was flaring up, the political forces leading Azerbaijan failed to assess the current situation. The successive governments were unable to channel the people's aspirations in a progressive direction. In those challenging times, once again, national leader Heydar Aliyev did not allow the spirit of independence within the people to die out.

With his coming to power, the national leader Heydar Aliyev instilled a strong spirit and self-confidence in the people, giving special importance to national and spiritual values, as well as the development of Azerbaijani science and culture, despite the strict constraints of Soviet ideology. Development and revitalization in all areas began to be observed. Azerbaijan took a step into a true period of revival. It was through his initiative that an army of scientists and intelligentsia with patriotic spirit was educated in various countries around the world. Heydar Aliyev's visionary and exceptional leadership laid the foundation for this moral, psychological, and economic base in the republic, and it served as a source of strength for the people when the Soviet Union began to disintegrate approximately 20 years later.                

In March of 1991, during a session of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR, the great leader Heydar Aliyev, while making a speech, wisely outlined the future struggle and development path by stating: "The Azerbaijani people should unite and protect their sacred, native lands like the apple of their eye. The Republic of Azerbaijan should strive for economic and political independence and fight for full independence." The national leader Heydar Aliyev remained faithful to this sacred cause throughout his entire life, selflessly fighting for the independence of the Azerbaijani people and the Motherland. Our country has achieved great success in this way, turning into a leading state in the South Caucasus and an initiator of international projects. All these achievements ultimately led to the magnificent Victory of our country in the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020. The Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev liberated our lands from occupation, fulfilled the resolutions of the UN Security Council, our territorial integrity was restored, and justice prevailed.              

Today, a new reality has emerged in the region. This reality has been created by Azerbaijan, whose international influence is growing day by day, and has become a leading factor in Europe's energy supply, and a reliable partner for the states.          

Recommended literature:

1. Orucov, Əliyar Ağagül oğlu. Azərbaycan xalqı milli özünüdərk yollarında: XIX əsrin sonu-XX əsrin əvvələri: tarixi-fəlsəfi aspekt /Ə. A. Orucov; elmi red. A. Ə. Hacıyeva ; AMEA, Fəlsəfə, Sosiologiya və Hüquq İnstitutu. - Bakı: Avropa, 2012. - 251 s.
2. Qaffarov, Tahir. Azərbaycanın ən yeni tarixi : XX əsrin sonları - XXI əsrin əvvəlləri / T. Qaffarov. - Bakı : GİSO Enterprise MMC, 2006. - 275 s.
3. Qasımov, Ramiz Asəf oğlu. Müstəqillik yollarında : liderlik missiyası / R. A. Qasımov, Z. H. İsmayıl ; elmi red. İ. Hacıyev ; AMEA Naxçıvan bölməsi. - Naxçıvan : Əcəmi NPB, 2016. - 216 s.
4. Cəfərova, Vəsxanım Meylaqulu qızı. Azərbaycan müstəqillik dövründə: Problemlər, perspektivlər: (1991-2003) /V. Cəfərova; Elmi red.: Ə. Əhmədov. - Bаkı: Şirvannəşr, 2003. - 294 s.
5. Mirzəyev, Həsən İbrahim oğlu. Əsərləri / H. İ. Mirzəyev. X cild : Müstəqillik uğrunda, mübarizə yollarında / elmi red. Z. M. Həsənalıyev. - Bakı : Elm, 2006. - 688 s.