Independence of Azerbaijan
On August 30, 1991, Azerbaijan declared its independence from the Soviet Union. The liberated nation was led by its former Soviet President, Ayaz Mutalibov, officially elected into power on September 8, 1991, in the first nationwide Presidential election. In December 1991, Azerbaijani citizens voted on a nationwide referendum to approve the Declaration of Independence, and on December 25, 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist.