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May 28 – Independence Day is the national holiday of Azerbaijan. On May 28, 1918, the Declaration of Independence was adopted, declaring the independence of Azerbaijan. With the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the first parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world - the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic - was founded. The first chairman of the Azerbaijan National Council of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was Mohammad Amin Rasulzade.

For the first time during the Democratic Republic, women were given the right to vote and equality between men and women was ensured, a national army was created, a national currency was put into circulation, and a national bank was established. The new Republic, a democratic state, established international relations and was recognized by the international community. The ADR, which lived for 23 months, was overthrown on April 28, 1920 as a result of the Bolshevik invasion.

For a long time, during the Soviet era, the founders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and their activities were banned. Even Azerbaijani historians are forbidden to mention the name of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. After Azerbaijan regained its state independence in 1991, all prohibitions related to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic were ended. State symbols and anthem of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic period were restored.

Returning the name of the republic to itself is connected with the name of our national leader Heydar Aliyev. During the period of independence, archival materials related to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic were opened, scientific works were carried out, and truths were revealed. Our Great Leader has stated many times that if we build and raise the democratic state of Azerbaijan today, we owe it to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

Heydar Aliyev noted in one of his speeches: "Today – in this holiday, we once again express our gratitude and thanks to M. A. Rasulzade, A. Topchubashov, F. Khoyski, and their comrades-in-arms for their services in the establishment and operation of the first Democratic Republic in Azerbaijan. Their work is very important for the people of Azerbaijan today. Their activities will always be dear to us. Their memory will always live in our hearts."

This policy of the Great Leader is currently being continued by President Ilham Aliyev. The fact that the head of the state of Azerbaijan attaches so much importance to our historical past, to theDemocratic  Republic of which we are the successor, is met with great sympathy by our people.

On the occasion of May 28 - Independence Day, a virtual exhibition of the same name was prepared by the employees of the National Library of Azerbaijan named after M.F. Akhundzade. The virtual exhibition displays photos, books and articles related to the topic.

Those who want to get acquainted with the virtual exhibition can access  the link http://anl.az/el/vsb/Cumhuriyyet/index.html