It has now been 35 years since that dreadful January night, which has been etched into the national memory of the Azerbaijani people as Black January, Bloody January, or simply the January 20 Tragedy. Over this period, the heroism of the martyrs has become a part of the blood-stained pages of history, and their graves have turned into a sacred place of remembrance for our people. Our compatriots honor those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of the homeland, remembering them as their own kin and praying for their souls.
The January 20 Tragedy of 1990 has been engraved in the historical memory of the Azerbaijani people as a moment of deep sorrow, yet also as a symbol of national pride. January 20 is a page written in blood in Azerbaijan’s history, but it is not just a tragedy; it marks the first peak on Azerbaijan’s path to independence and the awakening of our national consciousness toward the desire for freedom. It is a glorious day when a nation, oppressed by the Soviet Empire for many years, raised its voice for liberty and bravely demonstrated its determination to fight for sovereignty.
As a result of this crime against humanity, 150 peaceful civilians, including children, women, and elderly individuals, were brutally killed, 744 people were injured, and 841 were unlawfully arrested.
It should be noted that every year on January 20, Azerbaijan observes a National Day of Mourning.