On September 21, 1991 – Armenia gains independence from the Soviet Union.

In 1991, Armenia declared its independence from the Soviet Union, marking a pivotal moment in its modern history. The collapse of the Soviet Union was already underway, as republics across the union sought sovereignty in the face of political turmoil and economic decline. For Armenia, the move toward independence was accelerated by rising nationalism, deep frustration with Moscow’s control, and the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On September 21, 1991, a national referendum was held in Armenia, where the overwhelming majority of voters supported leaving the Soviet Union. This vote reflected the people’s desire for self-determination after decades of being subsumed und

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Following the referendum, Armenia officially proclaimed independence, becoming one of the fifteen former Soviet republics to break away. However, independence came at a heavy cost. The new republic faced immediate challenges, including economic collapse due to severed ties with the Soviet economy, a crippling blockade imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan, and the violent war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite these difficulties, Armenia began laying the foundations for statehood, drafting its own constitution, building national institutions, and seeking international recognition. The declaration of independence not only marked Armenia’s rebirth as a sovereign nation after centuries of foreign domination but also set the stage for decades of struggle, resilience, and the pursuit of stability in a volatile region.

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