History of Baku in Timeline

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, situated on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula along the Caspian Sea. It holds the distinction of being the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. With an elevation of 28 metres (92 ft) below sea level, Baku is the lowest-lying national capital globally. Its urban population was estimated at two million people in 2009, making it Azerbaijan's primate city, housing approximately 25% of the nation's population within its metropolitan area.

1900: Baku's Oil Production

By 1900, Baku had more than 3,000 oil wells, of which 2,000 were producing oil at industrial levels.

1902: Foundation of Baku Port

Baku Port was founded in 1902 and claims to be the largest Caspian Sea port.

1910: Population Growth of Baku

By 1910, Baku's population had grown at a faster rate than that of London, Paris, New York, or Tokyo, due to the oil boom.

1911: A. V. Williams Jackson's work

In 1911, Professor A. V. Williams Jackson of Columbia University wrote in his work From Constantinople to the Home of Omar Khayyam.

1913: Baku as the Largest City in the Caucasus

By 1913, Baku had grown to become the largest city in the Caucasus region, with a population of 215,000 people.

1917: Baku Under Baku Commune Control

In 1917, following the October Revolution, Baku came under the control of the Baku Commune, led by Stepan Shahumyan.

May 1918: Proclamation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic

On May 28, 1918, the Azerbaijani faction of the Transcaucasian Sejm proclaimed the independence of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) in Ganja, marking the founding of the first Muslim-majority democratic and secular republic.

September 1918: September Days Pogrom and Proclamation as Capital

Following the Battle of Baku in August-September 1918, Azerbaijani irregular troops, with the support of the Turkish command, conducted a pogrom, resulting in the killing of 10,000–30,000 Armenians of Baku, known as the "September Days". Shortly after, Baku was proclaimed the new capital of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

September 1918: Capture of Baku by Azerbaijani and Ottoman Forces

On September 15, 1918, Azerbaijani forces, supported by the Ottoman Army of Islam led by Nuru Pasha, captured Baku from a coalition of Bolsheviks, SRs, Dashnaks, Mensheviks, and British forces.

October 1918: Armistice of Mudros

In October 1918, the Ottoman Empire, recognizing defeat in World War I, signed the Armistice of Mudros with the British, leading to the evacuation of Turkish forces from Baku.

1919: Withdrawal of British Forces

Before the end of 1919, British forces, who had arrived in Baku in November 1918, left the city.

April 1920: Red Army Invasion and Bolshevik Reinstallation

On April 28, 1920, the 11th Red Army invaded Baku and reinstalled the Bolsheviks, leading to Baku becoming the capital of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.

1921: Baku City Executive Committee

Around 1921, the Baku City Executive Committee was formed and, together with the Baku Party Committee, developed the economic significance of the Caspian metropolis.

1922: Baku as a Trade Fair Venue

From 1922 to 1930, Baku became the venue for one of the major trade fairs of the Soviet Union, serving as a commercial bridgehead to Iran and the Middle East.

1930: Baku as a Trade Fair Venue

From 1922 to 1930, Baku became the venue for one of the major trade fairs of the Soviet Union, serving as a commercial bridgehead to Iran and the Middle East.

1939: World War II strategic importance

During World War II from 1939-1945, Baku's oil fields became strategically important to the Axis powers

November 1942: Operation Edelweiss

In November 1942, during the Nazi German invasion of the southwestern Soviet Union, the German Army reached a point approximately 530 kilometres northwest of Baku during Operation Edelweiss, falling short of capturing the city.

December 1942: Soviet Operation Little Saturn

In mid-December 1942, the German Army was driven back during the Soviet Operation Little Saturn, preventing them from capturing Baku and its vital oil fields.

1945: World War II strategic importance

During World War II from 1939-1945, Baku's oil fields became strategically important to the Axis powers

November 1967: Opening of Baku Metro

Baku Metro was opened in November 1967 and includes 3 lines and 25 stations at present.

November 1983: Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies opens

The Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies started its activities on November 21, 1983.

1988: Cultural Diversity and Population Changes

Until 1988, Baku had very large Russian, Armenian, and Jewish populations which contributed to cultural diversity.

January 1990: Pogrom Against Armenians

Starting in January 1990, with the onset of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War and the pogrom against Armenians, Baku's large Armenian population was expelled.

1991: Post-Soviet Restructuring

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Baku underwent a large-scale restructuring, involving demolition of Soviet-era panel buildings, creation of green spaces, and improvements in city services.

1991: Adoption of the Latin Alphabet

In 1991, Azerbaijan adopted the Latin alphabet, changing the spelling of Baku from the Cyrillic "Бакы" to the modern Azerbaijani spelling Bakı.

November 2000: Earthquake damage to Inner City

In November 2000, an earthquake caused damage to the Inner City of Baku.

2000: UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation

In 2000, The Old City of Baku, which contains the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2002: Baku hosts major sporting events

Since 2002, Baku has hosted 36 major sporting events.

2003: Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees

In 2003, Baku had 153,400 internally displaced persons and 93,400 refugees.

2003: Restoration of Teze Bey hamam

In 2003, Teze Bey, the most popular hamam in Baku, was fully restored and modernised.

2003: Inner City placed on List of World Heritage in Danger

In 2003, UNESCO placed the Inner City on the List of World Heritage in Danger, citing damage from the November 2000 earthquake and poor conservation.

March 2005: Opening of Baku Cargo Terminal

In March 2005, the new Baku Cargo Terminal was officially opened.

2005: Landmark year for Azerbaijani jazz

2005 was a landmark in the development of Azerbaijani jazz in Baku.

2005: World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships

In 2005, Baku hosted the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.

2007: Sporting Events in Baku

In 2007 Baku hosted Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships and European Taekwondo Championships.

2007: Construction of Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway begins

In 2007, construction began on the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, which directly connects Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

2007: Opening of Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre

In 2007, the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, designed by Zaha Hadid, was opened.

2007: South Caucasus Pipeline

Since 2007, the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP), has been transporting natural gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field to Turkey.

2008: Polluted City

As of 2008, Baku's past as a Soviet industrial centre left it one of the most polluted cities in the world.

2008: Plans to construct new Baku Metro stations

In 2008, plans to construct 41 new stations over the next 17 years were announced for the Baku Metro.

2009: Sporting Events in Baku

In 2009 Baku hosted Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships and Women's Challenge Cup

2009: Baku designated Islamic Culture Capital

In 2009, Baku was designated as an Islamic Culture Capital, celebrating many of the city's cultural sites.

2009: Baku's Urban Population

In 2009, Baku's urban population was estimated to be two million people, making it the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region, as well as the lowest lying national capital in the world.

2009: Hotel earnings

In 2009, hotels in Baku earned 7 million euros.

2009: Inner City removed from List of World Heritage in Danger

In 2009, the Inner City was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

September 2010: Inauguration of National Flag Square

On September 2, 2010, Baku set the world record for the tallest flagpole with the inauguration of National Flag Square.

2010: Baku to host Eurovision Dance Contest

Baku was chosen to host the Eurovision Dance Contest 2010.

2010: European Wrestling Championships

In 2010, Baku hosted the European Wrestling Championships.

2010: Reconstruction of Baku International Sea Trade Port

In 2010, the Baku International Sea Trade Port began to be reconstructed.

May 2011: Dushanbe sets new flagpole record

On May 24, 2011, the city of Dushanbe in Tajikistan set a new world record for the tallest flagpole, surpassing Baku's.

2011: Introduction of London cabs

As of 2011, 1,000 black cabs were ordered by Baku Taxi Company with plans to introduce London cabs into Baku.

2011: Baku's ranking in most expensive cities

In 2011, Baku was listed as the 48th most expensive city in the world by Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

2011: Azerbaijan's Eurovision Victory

In 2011, the victory of Azerbaijan's representative Eldar & Nigar at the Eurovision Song Contest boosted Baku's music scene.

2011: World Amateur Boxing Championships and Baku Cup

Since 2011, Baku annually hosts the WTA tennis event called Baku Cup, as well as hosted the World Amateur Boxing Championships.

2012: Baku hosts Eurovision Song Contest

Following the victory of Azerbaijan's representative in 2011, Baku hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.

2012: Host of the 57th Eurovision Song Contest

In 2012, Baku hosted the 57th Eurovision Song Contest, marking one of the major international events held in the city during the 2010s.

2014: Baku bids to host 42nd Chess Olympiad

In 2014, Baku was bidding to host the 42nd Chess Olympiad.

2015: Baku selected to host European Games

Baku was selected to host the 2015 European Games.

2015: Host of the 2015 European Games

In 2015, Baku hosted the European Games, adding to its growing reputation as a venue for major international events.

2015: Renovation of Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies

In 2015, the Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies was thoroughly renovated.

2015: Completion of Baku Olympic Stadium

In 2015, the construction of Baku Olympic Stadium was completed.

2016: First Formula One race in Baku

In 2016, Baku hosted its first Formula One race on the Baku City Circuit, named the European Grand Prix.

2016: Host of the European Grand Prix

In 2016, Baku hosted the European Grand Prix, establishing itself as a venue for major international sporting events.

2016: Baku's bid for Summer Olympics

In 2016, Baku made a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, but failed to become a Candidate City.

2016: Planned completion of Baku International Sea Trade Port reconstruction

The reconstruction of the Baku International Sea Trade Port was planned to be completed by 2016.

2017: Baku hosts Islamic Solidarity Games

In 2017, Baku hosted the fourth edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games.

2017: Opening of Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway

In 2017, the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway opened, connecting Baku with Tbilisi in Georgia, and Kars in Turkey.

2017: Host of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Since 2017, Baku has been hosting the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, solidifying its position as a key location for international motorsport events.

2018: Host of the UEFA Europa League Final

In 2018, Baku hosted the final of the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League, marking a significant event for the city's sporting profile.

2018: Visitors to the Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies

In 2018, the number of visitors to the Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies was 1,932.

May 2019: UEFA Europa League Final 2019 in Baku

On May 29, 2019, the UEFA Europa League Final 2019 was played at the Olympic Stadium in Baku between Chelsea and Arsenal.

October 2019: Baku joins UNESCO's Network of Creative Cities

On October 31, 2019, Baku joined UNESCO's Network of Creative Cities as a Design City on the occasion of World Cities' Day.

2019: Opening of Baku suburban railway

In 2019, the Baku suburban railway opened.

2020: Baku hosts UEFA Euro 2020 games

In 2020, Baku hosted three group games and one quarter-final of the UEFA Euro 2020 European Football Championship.

2020: Baku's bid for Summer Olympics

In 2020, Baku made a bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, but failed to become a Candidate City.

2020: Host of UEFA Euro 2020

In 2020, Baku was one of the host cities for UEFA Euro 2020, further establishing the city as a prominent venue for major international sporting events.

2023: Economic Hub

As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, 52% of hired workers in Azerbaijan were employed in Baku, highlighting its importance as an economic hub.

May 28, 2024: Opening of Crescent Mall

On May 28, 2024, Crescent Mall, the newest shopping center in Baku, opened, adding a variety of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options.

November 8, 2024: Reopening of National Flag Square

On November 8, 2024, the National Flag Square was reopened after years of repair to commemorate the Victory Day over Armenia's forces in Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

2024: Host of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference

Baku is set to host the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, highlighting its growing role in international affairs and sustainability efforts.