September 20 is celebrated in Azerbaijan as State Sovereignty Day. On September 19, 2024, President Ilham Aliyev signed a Decree on the establishment of this remarkable day. The Decree recalls that for many years, as a result of Armenia’s policy of occupation, our lands were devastated and our people were subjected to ethnic cleansing. However, the people of Azerbaijan never lost their determination to fight, and in 2020, they achieved a historic Victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, liberating their lands. With this Victory, our country restored its territorial integrity and ensured the implementation of UN resolutions. On September 19, 2023, in response to the provocations carried out in Karabakh, an anti-terror operation was launched, lasting only 23 hours. The Azerbaijani Army accomplished all its tasks with high professionalism. As a result, on September 20, 2023, the sovereignty of our state was fully restored. Today, our tricolor flag proudly waves in every corner of our Motherland. Sovereignty is the greatest national treasure of our people and the pillar of our independence. This day is not only the date of the adoption of a legal document, but also the celebration of the love for freedom, national unity, determination, and resolve on the path of statehood. State Sovereignty Day symbolizes our people’s determination to freely shape their own destiny, the sacrifices made for independence, and great national ideals. By marking this day each year, the people of Azerbaijan recall that our independence was achieved at the cost of immense effort, struggle, and sacrifices, and once again recognize the responsibility of protecting it and passing it on to future generations.