Azerbaijan is celebrating National Salvation Day on June 15, a date widely regarded as a turning point in the country’s modern history.

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the return to power of Azerbaijan’s National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, whose leadership is credited with steering the nation through a period of political turmoil and instability in the early 1990s, The Caspian Post reports.

On June 15, 1993, Heydar Aliyev addressed a session of the Milli Majlis (parliament) and outlined a new strategy for the development of Azerbaijani statehood. The date later became known as National Salvation Day, symbolizing the country’s path toward stability, independence, and national unity.

Responding to public calls, Aliyev returned to political leadership for a second time and was elected Chairman of the Supreme Council. His return helped ease internal tensions and prevented the country from descending into deeper political crisis and division.

The concept of national salvation laid the foundation for strengthening Azerbaijan’s statehood and preserving its independence, which remains one of the nation’s most significant achievements.

In 1997, the Azerbaijani parliament officially declared June 15 as National Salvation Day, and the anniversary has been observed nationwide ever since.

Officials and public figures note that the political course established by Heydar Aliyev has continued under President Ilham Aliyev. Under his leadership, Azerbaijan restored control over territories that had been outside its control for decades, an outcome the country views as the fulfillment of relevant United Nations resolutions and a major milestone in its modern history.

National Salvation Day remains one of Azerbaijan’s most important state holidays, reflecting themes of unity, sovereignty, and the strengthening of national statehood.