Between March 30th and April 2nd, 1918, the March Days massacres occurred in Baku and the surrounding areas during a period of significant political turmoil.
Following the dissolution of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic in May 1918, the Musavat party declared the independence of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), marking the first modern parliamentary republic in the Muslim world.
The National Army of the newly formed Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was created in June 1918.
Although short-lived, Azerbaijan's independence from 1918 to 1920 saw significant resistance against Soviet reconquest, resulting in the loss of many Azerbaijani lives.
The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic emerged in 1918 following the collapse of the Russian Empire, becoming the first secular democratic Muslim-majority state.
The name "Azerbaijan" was chosen for the newly established republic in 1918 by the Musavat government. Previously, this term had been used to refer to a region in northwestern Iran, while the area of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic had been known as Arran and Shirvan.
"The Celebration of the Anniversary of Azerbaijani Independence," a documentary filmed on the first anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence, premiered in June 1919 in Baku.
The Azerbaijan SSR was established on April 28, 1920, after the Bolshevik 11th Soviet Red Army invaded Azerbaijan, marking the end of the short-lived republic.
After the Soviet Union's collapse, Azerbaijani filmmakers faced renewed challenges in terms of content choices and securing funding, similar to the period before 1920.
Following the establishment of Soviet rule in 1920, Azerbaijan's cinema industry was nationalized.
In 1920, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was conquered and made part of the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan SSR.
The Treaty of Kars, signed in October 1921, saw the Soviet republics, including Azerbaijan, make territorial agreements with Turkey, establishing new borders and solidifying control over disputed regions.
From 1940 to 1991, during the Soviet period, the name "Azerbaijan" was written in Cyrillic as "Азәрбајҹан".
Between 1941 and 1945, Azerbaijan played a crucial role in World War II, supplying a significant portion of the Soviet Union's oil. Many Azerbaijanis fought bravely, contributing to the war effort.
In February 1942, over 500 Azerbaijani oil industry workers were honored with orders and medals by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, recognizing their crucial role in supporting the Soviet Union's strategic energy policy during World War II.
World War II, in which Azerbaijan played a crucial role, ended in 1945.
In 1970, Soviet data reported a 100 percent literacy rate for both males and females aged 9 to 49 in Azerbaijan.
The 1970 census in Azerbaijan revealed a significant Armenian and Russian population within the country. However, many fled during the 1990s following the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
In 1989, Armenian was the predominant language spoken in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, with approximately 76% of the local population using it as their primary language.
In 1990, driven by the policies of glasnost and growing unrest, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan took steps toward independence, dropping "Soviet Socialist" from its title, adopting a declaration of sovereignty, and restoring the flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
In August 1991, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the modern Republic of Azerbaijan declared its independence.
Following Azerbaijan's declaration of independence, the ethnic Armenian majority in the Nagorno-Karabakh region declared the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh in September 1991.
On October 18, 1991, following a failed coup attempt in Moscow, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan declared independence, marking a pivotal moment in the country's history.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan were created in October 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Azerbaijan held a nationwide referendum in December 1991 to affirm the declaration of independence made in October of the same year, solidifying the country's separation from the dissolving Soviet Union.
After achieving independence in 1991, Azerbaijan became a member of several international financial institutions, including the IMF, World Bank, EBRD, Islamic Development Bank, and Asian Development Bank.
After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan initiated measures to protect its environment.
After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan reverted to using the Latin script for its language.
The first Baku International Film Festival East-West took place in Baku in 1991 after Azerbaijan gained independence from the Soviet Union.
The National Bank of Azerbaijan, now known as the Central Bank, was founded in 1992, based on the Azerbaijan State Savings Bank, a branch of the former State Savings Bank of the USSR.
In 1993, democratically elected president Abulfaz Elchibey was ousted in a military coup led by Colonel Surat Huseynov, paving the way for Heydar Aliyev, the former leader of Soviet Azerbaijan, to assume power.
The Aliyev family and their political party, the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), came to power in 1993 and have maintained control ever since.
The New Azerbaijan Party, led by Heydar Aliyev, came into power in 1993 and has governed the country since then.
In September 1994, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and 13 oil companies, including prominent names like Amoco, BP, ExxonMobil, Lukoil, and Equinor, signed a 30-year contract. This agreement enabled Western oil companies to access deepwater oilfields untapped during the Soviet era, establishing Azerbaijan as a significant player in global oil exploration and development.
The First Nagorno-Karabakh War, which began in 1988, ended in 1994 with the region, though internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, becoming de facto independent under Armenian control.
The First Nagorno-Karabakh War, which resulted in significant displacement and casualties, ended in 1994, with Armenians controlling a portion of Azerbaijani territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh.
In 1994, Surat Huseynov, who played a key role in the 1993 coup and became prime minister, attempted another military coup against Heydar Aliyev but was apprehended and charged with treason.
The new Constitution of Azerbaijan, adopted on November 12, 1995, established the country's state symbols and outlined the framework for its political system.
In 1995, another attempt to overthrow Aliyev was made, this time by Rovshan Javadov, the commander of the OMON special unit. The coup failed, resulting in Javadov's death and the dissolution of Azerbaijan's OMON units. During this period, the country grappled with widespread corruption within its government.
The year 1995 serves as the baseline for measuring the significant twentyfold increase in Azerbaijan's GDP by 2012.
Bahrain became the last country to formally recognize Azerbaijan's independence from the Soviet Union on November 6, 1996.
The Security Council, an advisory body reporting to the president, was established on April 10, 1997.
In October 1998, Heydar Aliyev, who came to power after a coup, was reelected for a second term as the president of Azerbaijan.
Adopted on June 16, 1999, the Provision on Local Executive Authority defined the legal framework for local governance in Azerbaijan.
In December 2000, a decree was signed by former President Heydar Aliyev declaring August 2nd as the professional holiday for filmmakers in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe in 2001, marking a significant step in its engagement with European institutions.
In 2001, with increased state revenue from the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, Azerbaijan significantly boosted its environmental protection efforts.
As of 2002, Azerbaijan was home to various Christian denominations, including Lutherans, Baptists, and Molokans, showcasing the country's religious pluralism.
In 2002, Azerbaijan's merchant marine fleet consisted of 54 ships, highlighting its maritime presence.
In a significant move for its transportation sector, Azerbaijan established the Ministry of Transport in 2002. The ministry was granted a broad range of policy and regulatory functions, reflecting the country's commitment to developing its transport infrastructure. That same year, Azerbaijan also demonstrated its commitment to international standards by becoming a member of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
On November 7, 2003, UNESCO recognized the Azerbaijani mugham tradition, known for its improvisational nature, as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
In 2003, Azerbaijan had an estimated 250 Roman Catholics, adding to the religious diversity of the nation.
Following the death of his father, Heydar Aliyev, in 2003, Ilham Aliyev assumed leadership of the New Azerbaijan Party and became the president of Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijan women's national volleyball team demonstrated their skills on the European stage by achieving a commendable fourth-place finish in the 2005 European Championship.
On January 1, 2006, Azerbaijan introduced a new currency, the new Azerbaijani manat, to solidify economic reforms and move past its history of economic instability.
Azerbaijan was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council on May 9, 2006, with its term commencing on June 19, 2006.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline commenced operation in May 2006. This pipeline, spanning over 1,774 kilometers through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, is designed to transport up to 50 million tons of crude oil annually from the Caspian Sea to global markets.
Azerbaijan's term on the UN Human Rights Council began on June 19, 2006.
A Gallup poll conducted between 2006 and 2008 revealed that only 21% of respondents in Azerbaijan considered religion to be a significant aspect of their daily lives.
At the beginning of 2007, Azerbaijan had 4,755,100 hectares of its land dedicated to agricultural use. This demonstrates the significant role agriculture plays in the region.
In the first quarter of 2007, Azerbaijan experienced a high inflation rate of 16.6%, driven by increased spending and demand growth.
The financial crisis of 2007-2008 had a minimal impact on Azerbaijan's burgeoning internet sector, demonstrating its resilience during a turbulent economic period.
A Gallup poll conducted between 2006 and 2008 revealed that only 21% of respondents in Azerbaijan considered religion to be a significant aspect of their daily lives.
Azerbaijan participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2008.
The financial crisis of 2007-2008 had a minimal impact on Azerbaijan's burgeoning internet sector, demonstrating its resilience during a turbulent economic period.
In September 2009, Azerbaijan's ashiq art, a blend of poetry, storytelling, dance, and music, was included in UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The United Nations Development Program Report in 2009 stated that the literacy rate in Azerbaijan was 99.5 percent.
By 2009, Azerbaijan had made considerable progress in expanding its telecommunications infrastructure. The country had 1,397,000 main telephone lines in operation and a growing number of internet users, reaching 1,485,000, reflecting increased access to communication technologies.
In 2009, Azerbaijan secured third place in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Azerbaijan was the host of the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships in 2009.
Araz Naxçivan, an Azerbaijani futsal club, achieved success in the 2009-2010 UEFA Futsal Cup by winning the bronze medal.
According to the 2009 census, the ethnic composition of Azerbaijan was as follows: 91.6% Azerbaijanis, 2.0% Lezgins, 1.4% Armenians (primarily residing in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh), 1.3% Russians, 1.3% Talysh, 0.6% Avars, 0.4% Turks, 0.3% Tatars, 0.3% Tats, 0.2% Ukrainians, 0.1% Tsakhurs, 0.1% Georgians, 0.1% Jews, 0.1% Kurds, and 0.2% other ethnicities. This data highlights the diversity of Azerbaijan's population.
Azerbaijan showcased their strength in chess by winning the European Team Chess Championship in 2009.
UNESCO recognized the Azerbaijani carpet, renowned for its intricate designs and craftsmanship, as a Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage in November 2010.
Azerbaijan secured the 57th position in the Global Competitiveness Report for 2010-2011, surpassing other CIS countries.
Baku hosted the European Wrestling Championships in 2010.
Between 2010 and 2016, Azerbaijan experienced significant growth in visitor exports, ranking among the top ten countries globally according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
By 2010, Azerbaijan had expanded its railway network significantly. The country boasted 2,918 kilometers of broad-gauge railways and 1,278 kilometers of electrified railways, facilitating transportation within its borders.
The 2010 Parliamentary election in Azerbaijan was marked by numerous irregularities observed by European monitors, with the ruling New Azerbaijan Party securing almost all seats and opposition parties failing to win any.
The Azerbaijan national futsal team demonstrated a strong performance in the 2010 UEFA Futsal Championship, securing fourth place.
In 2011, Azerbaijan secured a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council with overwhelming international support.
The AIBA World Boxing Championships were held in Azerbaijan in 2011.
In 2011, Azerbaijan recorded a population growth rate of 0.85%, notably lower than the global average of 1.09%. A key factor influencing this growth rate was the high level of migration, with Azerbaijan experiencing a net migration rate of -1.14/1,000 individuals. This indicates that more people were leaving the country than entering it.
Ell and Nikki won the Eurovision Song Contest for Azerbaijan in 2011 with their song "Running Scared".
Azerbaijan secured the 57th position in the Global Competitiveness Report for 2010-2011, surpassing other CIS countries.
In June 2012, new regulations were approved, granting increased powers to Local Executive Authorities and consolidating their control over local affairs in Azerbaijan.
A Formula One racetrack was constructed in Azerbaijan, reaching completion in June 2012.
In December 2012, Baku, Azerbaijan was chosen to host the inaugural European Games in 2015.
By 2012, Azerbaijan's GDP had experienced a twentyfold increase compared to its 1995 level.
Neftchi Baku became the first Azerbaijani team to reach the group stage of a European competition in 2012, achieving this feat in the UEFA Europa League.
The Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway, completed in 2012, aimed to bolster transportation links between Asia and Europe. This railway line connects the railways of China and Kazakhstan in the east to the European railway system in the west, passing through Turkey.
The United States began providing military aid to Azerbaijan in 2012.
Azerbaijan's ruling elite began a secret $2.9 billion scheme in 2012, making over 16,000 covert payments through a network of obscure British companies, as reported by The Guardian.
Azerbaijan hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku in 2012, following their victory the previous year.
Azerbaijan marked a significant milestone in its space exploration journey in February 2013 with the launch of its first satellite, AzerSat 1, into orbit. Launched from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, the satellite was positioned at 46° East and provides coverage for Europe, a substantial part of Asia, and Africa. This accomplishment reflects Azerbaijan's ambition to establish a robust space industry and undertake more complex space projects in the future.
Ilham Aliyev, son of former president Heydar Aliyev, secured his third term as the president of Azerbaijan in October 2013.
Araz Naxçivan replicated their previous success by securing another bronze medal at the 2013-2014 UEFA Futsal Cup.
Azerbaijan continued their dominance in chess by securing their second victory at the European Team Chess Championship in 2013.
Azerbaijan hosted the F1 Powerboat World Championship in 2013.
In 2013, Freedom House's Freedom of the Press report classified Azerbaijan's press freedom status as "not free," ranking it 177th out of 196 countries.
Azerbaijan's media environment experienced a rapid decline in November 2014 as the government implemented a campaign to suppress dissent and criticism.
In 2014, Azerbaijan hosted both the European Taekwondo Championships and the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships.
Qarabağ followed in Neftchi Baku's footsteps and became the second Azerbaijani club to qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2014.
Azerbaijan's ruling elite's secret $2.9 billion scheme, involving covert payments to prominent Europeans, continued until 2014, as revealed by The Guardian.
In 2014, the Shamkir Chess tournament, hosted in Azerbaijan, gained recognition as a category 22 event, ranking it among the most prestigious chess tournaments globally.
An Amnesty International researcher's report in October 2015 highlighted the concerning deterioration of human rights in Azerbaijan, including severe repression and the suppression of civil society.
Azerbaijan's partnership with Spanish football club Atlético de Madrid, which began in the 2013/2014 season and continued through 2014/2015, aimed to enhance the country's global image.
In 2015, Azerbaijan had the highest number of journalists imprisoned in Europe, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, and ranked as the 5th most censored country globally.
In 2015, the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report placed Azerbaijan in 84th place, providing insight into the country's tourism landscape at the time.
The first edition of the European Games took place in Baku in 2015.
Azerbaijan hosted its inaugural Formula One Grand Prix on June 19, 2016.
Baku hosted the World Chess Olympiad in 2016.
In 2016, Azerbaijan faced a biocapacity deficit, using 2.1 global hectares of biocapacity per person while having only 0.8 global hectares per person within its territory, indicating a higher ecological footprint than its available resources.
In 2016, Azerbaijan was identified as the fastest-growing travel and tourism economy globally by the World Travel and Tourism Council, showcasing its rapid development in this sector.
In April 2017, The Guardian revealed a secret $2.9 billion scheme operated by Azerbaijan's ruling elite from 2012 to 2014, involving covert payments to prominent Europeans, including politicians and journalists, to deflect criticism of the government and enhance the country's image.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line, connecting the Caspian region with Turkey, was anticipated to be finished in July 2017.
In September 2017, Azerbaijan extended the agreement for the development of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) oil field until 2050. This amendment to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) was signed by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and co-ventures including BP, Chevron, Inpex, Equinor, ExxonMobil, TP, ITOCHU, and ONGC Videsh.
Qarabağ achieved a historic milestone in 2017 by becoming the first Azerbaijani club to participate in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
In 2017, Baku hosted the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games.
Following the success of the first race, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix became an annual event on the Formula One calendar starting in 2017.
Azerbaijan further solidified their position as a chess powerhouse by winning the European Team Chess Championship for the third time in 2017.
In April 2018, President Ilham Aliyev won his fourth consecutive term in an election boycotted by major opposition parties, who alleged fraud.
Aisel represented Azerbaijan in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "X My Heart".
In 2018, Azerbaijan scored 6.55 out of 10 on the Forest Landscape Integrity Index, ranking 72nd globally.
In January 2019, demographic data for Azerbaijan showed that women constituted 50.1% of the total population. The sex ratio for the same year stood at 0.99 males for every female.
Baku was the host city for the 2019 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival.
September 2020 saw a resurgence of clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, resulting in casualties on both sides.
The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020 resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control over seven districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh and parts of the region itself.
In 2020, Azerbaijan allocated $2.24 billion, representing 5.4% of its GDP and 12.7% of government spending, to its defense budget.
In July 2021, the US Congress initiated legislation to review military aid to Azerbaijan, which had been ongoing since 2012, due to concerns over disparities in aid packages compared to Armenia.
As of 2021, Azerbaijan had 126,000 active personnel in its armed forces, 17,000 paramilitary troops, and 330,000 reserve personnel.
Azeriqaz, a subsidiary of SOCAR, aimed to achieve full gasification across Azerbaijan by 2021.
As of March 2022, data revealed that 52.9% of Azerbaijan's total population of 10,164,464 resided in urban areas, while the remaining 47.1% lived in rural areas, providing insight into the country's population distribution and urbanization trends.
In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh in Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to the dissolution and reintegration of Artsakh into Azerbaijan.
An Azerbaijani offensive in 2023 led to the end of the Republic of Artsakh and caused many Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to flee.
Azerbaijan secured the 89th position in the Global Innovation Index in 2023, reflecting its progress in innovation and technological advancement.
On January 1, 2024, Artsakh was officially reintegrated into Azerbaijan following the offensive, resulting in the displacement of almost the entire Armenian population from the region.
In 2024, Freedom House classified Azerbaijan as "not free" and gave it a Global Freedom Score of 7/100, highlighting its authoritarian regime.