Azerbaijan Railway Workers' Day is celebrated in the Republic annually on October 13.
Considering the important role of Azerbaijani railway workers in the development of the economy and social life of the country, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on October 7, 2005, by his Decree, decided: October «13 of each year, the — day of the organization of the independent Azerbaijan Railway — should be declared the Day of Professional Holiday of Azerbaijan Railway Workers».
Railway transport in Azerbaijan occupies one of the most important places in the development of the economy of the Republic and provides a significant part of freight and passenger transportation. This is the largest railway network in Transcaucasia in terms of length (2,125 kilometers) and volume of traffic, more than half of which is electrified.
The date of birth of the Azerbaijani railway is considered to be January 1880, when the operation of the first 20-kilometer railway line in the republic began on the Baku — Sabunchi — Surakhani section. At that time, the railway was intended mainly to transport oil from the Absheron fields to the port of Baku.
Until 1991, the Azerbaijan Railway included three branches — Baku, Ganja and Nakhichevan. After Azerbaijan gained independence and the separation of its railways from the structure of the USSR Ministry of Railways, a radical restructuring of the railway system was carried out.
Today, the main carrier in the country is CJSC «Azerbaijan Railways» (Azәrbaycan Damir Yollari QSC, ADY QSC) — company, created in 2009 on the basis of the Azerbaijan State Railway.
For the Republic of Azerbaijan, railway transport is a core industry; it unites the work of many industries and affects the way of life of the population. Therefore, traditionally, on the Day of Azerbaijani Railway Workers, the country's leadership congratulates all railway workers on their professional holiday, and the most distinguished are awarded state awards and memorable gifts.