Armenia was the first non-Baltic republic to secede from the republic of Soviet Union, on September 21st in 1991. This day is known as 'Ankakhutyan or'.
Unlike other countries, Armenia does not celebrate Independence Day as its national day. That occurs on May 28th, the Day of the First Republic.
Following centuries of dominance by the Ottoman and Persian empires, the majority of modern-day Armenia fell under Russian control in the nineteenth century. Armenia proclaimed independence in 1918, following the collapse of the Russian Empire. In 1922, Armenia joined the Soviet Union as one of its founding members.
Following the failed Moscow coup in August 1991, Armenia held a referendum for independence on September 21, 1991, bringing an end to nearly 70 years of Soviet domination. This led to Armenia being the first non-Baltic country to secede from the Soviet Union and the establishment of the country of Armenia. On October 16, 1991, Levon Ter-Petrosyan became the Republic's first President.
