[3] The day was inspired by the dismantling of border fences between Soviet Azerbaijan and Iran in December 1989 and the collapse of the Berlin Wall[4] in the same year.
The day was first promoted on 16 December 1991 by then-Chairman of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Supreme Assembly Heydar Aliyev.
The various governments that have been in power since Azerbaijan's independence from the Soviet Union have all marked that day.
[6] Aliyev raised the issue before the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan SSR to declare that date a holiday at state level.
The holiday eventually gained a state status in 1992, with Abulfaz Elchibey's presidential decree.