Today in history: On January 11, 1920, the independence of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was de facto recognized at the Versailles Peace Conference.
A delegation led by Alimardan Bey Topchubashov, speaker of Azerbaijan’s parliament, secured recognition of our independence after a year of intense negotiations with Western circles. Thus, on 11 January 1920, at the Paris Peace Conference of the Supreme Council, dedicated to the results of the First World War, at the suggestion of the British Foreign Secretary Curzon the decision to recognise the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted.
On 14 January 1920 Prime Minister Nasib-bek Yusifbeyli announced to the citizens the official decision of the Paris Peace Conference presented to A. Topchubashov, and this date was declared a non-working day in the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. On the occasion, a gala evening was held in Baku and a solemn parliamentary meeting was held. Mahammad Amin Rasulzadeh addressed the rally and ended his speech with these words: “The Azerbaijani people have demonstrated their independence to the world. The flag, once hoisted, will never come down again!”
