Independence Day in Armenia
Armenia marks Independence Day on September 21, the anniversary of the independence referendum held on that date in 1991. The law names it a non-working holiday, while official accounts connect the date with the country’s decision to become independent.[1][3]
A fixed date and a non-working holiday
Armenia’s Law on Holidays and Commemorative Days sets Independence Day on September 21 and designates it a non-working day. The date stays fixed each year.[1]
The Labour Code generally prohibits requiring employees to work on non-working holidays. It allows exceptions for work that cannot stop for technical reasons, services needed by the public, and urgent repairs or loading and unloading. The law also allows the government to set additional non-working days in connection with holidays; it does not establish an automatic replacement day when September 21 falls on a weekend.[1][2]
The referendum and the transition to independence
On September 21, 1991, voters took part in a referendum on leaving the Soviet Union. The Armenian government says that 99 percent of votes supported independence. The National Assembly’s historical account says the Supreme Council proclaimed Armenia an independent state on September 23, based on the referendum results.[3]
The referendum followed the Declaration of Independence adopted by the Armenian SSR Supreme Council on August 23, 1990. The government identifies September 21 as the referendum date and as the date marked as Independence Day.[3]
What the day represents
The holiday is specific to Armenia because it marks the referendum that preceded the country’s separation from the USSR and the proclamation of independence. In an official Independence Day address, Armenia’s president connected the vote with independence, democracy and sovereignty, and described sovereignty as an ongoing responsibility.[3][4]
An official presidential address is one documented form of commemoration. Local programmes may vary, so visitors should look for announcements from official organisers.[4]
Planning around the holiday
September 21 is a statutory non-working day, and many employees have the day off, subject to the Labour Code’s exceptions. Check opening hours directly with any government office, bank, shop, attraction or transport operator you plan to use.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
When is Independence Day in Armenia?
Is Independence Day a day off?
Is there a substitute day if September 21 is on a weekend?
The holiday law fixes the observance on September 21 and does not provide an automatic weekend replacement. The government may set additional non-working days in connection with holidays.[1]
Will banks, shops and transport be open?
Opening hours vary by provider, so check directly with the bank, shop or transport operator before making plans.
What does the holiday commemorate?
It commemorates Armenia’s September 21, 1991 independence referendum. The National Assembly records that Armenia was proclaimed independent two days later, based on the referendum results.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for Independence Day in Armenia:
- ՀՀ ՕՐԵՆՔԸ ՀՀ ՏՈՆԵՐԻ ԵՎ ՀԻՇԱՏԱԿԻ ՕՐԵՐԻ ՄԱՍԻՆ- ARLIS Armenian Legal Information System
- Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia- ARLIS Armenian Legal Information System
- General information- Government of the Republic of Armenia
- President Vahagn Khachaturyan's address on Armenia’s Independence Day- The Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia