The Day of Azerbaijani Language and Alphabet is observed in Azerbaijan every August 1. Established by President Heydar Aliyev in 2001, this cultural observance celebrates the Azerbaijani language and its alphabet, which transitioned to a Latin-based system following a decree signed by Aliyev on June 18, 2001. The Azerbaijani alphabet has undergone several changes throughout its history, originally based on the Arabic script, then modified in the late 19th century by Mirza Fatali Akhundov to incorporate elements of Russian and Latin. After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan re-adopted the Latin alphabet, leading to the 2001 decree that legalized this transition. The holiday serves to promote the use and appreciation of the Azerbaijani language and its modern script.