20 January "Black January"

The tragic events of January 19-20, 1990 mark a turning point in the story of Azerbaijan’s independence from the Soviet Union.  Every year at the end of January, Azeris enter a period of mourning for their loved ones who were lost in the attack by Soviet military forces who stormed Baku and murdered hundreds of civilians.

In the lead-up to January 20, tensions between Azeris and the Soviet Union had been building; the collapse of the Soviet Union was clearly imminent.  One by one, former satellite nations were shaking off the chains which bound them to the Soviets, and Azerbaijan was leading the charge in the Caucasus region.