Azerbaijan celebrates the 105th anniversary of its Armed Forces with a vibrant march in Baku. Military academy cadets, officers, and military bands took part in the commemorative event. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces were established in 1918, and the modern army was formed in 1993 after Azerbaijan regained independence. President Heydar Aliyev declared June 26 as the official Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in 1998.