Black January

January 1990 is referred to in Baku as Black or Bloody January. Overnight on January 20, the Soviet troops entered Baku to suppress protests of the opposition, namely, the rallies and demonstrations, organized by the Popular Front of Azerbaijan movement. The state of emergency was introduced in the city, but the city residents were unaware of that because of an explosion at the TV station.

As a result, the tanks shot down and crushed not only those, who stood ready to sacrifice themselves for the sake of independence, but also the civilians without any political ambitions. Hundreds of unarmed civilians were injured, 137 people were killed.

This night made Azerbaijan’s withdrawal from the Soviet Union inevitable. As many people think, that was the terrible price that Azerbaijan paid for its independence.

Since that time, a red carnation has been considered a mourning, ‘cemeterial’ flower in Azerbaijan.

January 20 is a day off in Azerbaijan. On this day, the Alley of Martyrs, where the victims of Black January are buried, becomes a place of pilgrimage.