This day commemorates the founding of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1918 and has been an official public holiday since 1998. The Ministry of Defense was re-established in 1991, along with the reformation of the armed forces, including the army, air force, and navy, which are among the strongest military forces in the South Caucasus. Twenty years ago, the position of defense attaché was created at the embassy, held by Colonel Ahmad Gafarov.