The Day of Baku Metro Employees is observed in Azerbaijan every November 8 to honor the contributions of the staff of Baku Metro, the only metro system in the country. Established by President Ilham Aliyev in 2006, this day commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Baku Metro's opening, which occurred on November 6, 1967. The metro system, which began construction in 1951, is notable for being the fifth underground railway in the Soviet Union. Currently, Baku Metro features two lines and 23 stations, covering a total length of 34.6 kilometers and serving approximately 566,000 passengers daily as of 2013. On this professional holiday, many employees are recognized for their hard work and dedication with special awards, although it is not a non-working day in Azerbaijan.