Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan gained its independence in October 1991.
Independence almost immediately brought a period of instability as various groups vied for control of the nation.
In 1992, the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party had come to power but were struggling to handle the chaotic situation in the country with a civil war and loss of independence being a real possibility. They looked to Heydar Aliyev to provide a strong unifying figurehead for the nation to avert the crisis.
Heydar Aliyev
Heydar Aliyev had previously been the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, leading the country until 1982, when he was made a full member of the Soviet Politburo. He had elected Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 1991. Nakhchivan is an enclave with Azerbaijan and the homeland of Aliyev.
In June 1993, the people of Azerbaijan invited Aliyev to return to Azerbaijan and lead the country.
On June 15th 1993, Aliyev was elected chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On June 24th, he assumed the authorities of the president. Following a nationwide election, Aliyev was elected President of Azerbaijan on October 3rd 1993, ruling the country for the next ten years.
This holiday gained official status in 1997 and since 1998 it has been celebrated as a national holiday.