23 years passed since the bloody day in our nation`s history – 20 January, the Black Saturday – and events which we call now “the Black January”. On this day, our nation, struggling for the freedom and territorial integrity for Azerbaijan, showed its heroism.
The tragedy of January 20, author: Post of Azerbaijan, source: Wikimedia Commons
The night of 19 January and the following day left bitter memories. On that frosty night, many awoke hearing the sounds of tanks moving across the cities, many more awoke from the continuous gunfire.
Days before 20 January, tensions between Azeris and the Soviet Union had been building; the collapse of the Soviet Union was clearly imminent. One by one, former satellite countries were shaking off the chains which bound them to the Soviets, and Azerbaijan was the leader in demanding freedom in the Caucasus region.
Late at night on 19 January 1990, 26.000 Soviet troops entered Baku. They opened fire and crushed many with tanks. , Many people were arrested, hundreds – tortured. Though the final death toll is still contested to this day, probably 130 people died from wounds received that night and during subsequent violent confrontations. A vast majority of the casualties were civilians, with over 700 wounded.
Almost the whole population of Baku turned out to bury the dead on the third day after the massacre – on 22 January. For another 40 days, the country mourned the victims and organized mass protests.
No one and nothing will be forgotten, source: elchinhuseyn.livejournal.com
At the time, the attack seemed to come out of nowhere. Recent studies, however, have proved otherwise. Soviet reservists had been mobilized and sent to the region explicitly to fight. Foreigners were not allowed to enter so there would be no information leakage.
In 1994, the National Assembly of Azerbaijan approved a full political and legal report evaluating the Black January events. On 16 December 1999, President Heydar Aliyev declared that all victims of Black January would be awarded the honorary title of 20 yanvar şəhidi – Martyrs of 20th January.
The memorial called “Martyr’s Lane” was constructed to preserve the memories about those who lost their lives. Every year Azeris come to lay flowers and remember the struggle for independence.
Black January II by ~daglaroglu on deviantART
