The Declaration of Sovereignty in 1990

62. The Declaration of Independence of August 23, 1990

On August 23, 1990, the Supreme Council adopted the Declaration of Independence of Armenia.

The declaration was a foundational legal and political document.

It asserted the sovereignty of the Armenian republic and established principles for the development of independent statehood.

It also reflected the political influence of the national movement and concerns surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh.

The declaration referred to the historical continuity of Armenian statehood and the democratic aspirations of the Armenian people.

It established the direction of Armenia's transition away from Soviet authority.

However, the declaration did not immediately complete the process of independence.

Armenia remained within the Soviet Union while its leadership prepared the legal and political mechanisms for withdrawal.

63. The Restoration of National Symbols

The restoration of Armenian national symbols was a significant part of the independence process.

The red, blue, and orange tricolor associated with the First Republic was restored as Armenia's national flag in August 1990.

The republic later adopted its national anthem, Mer Hayrenik, drawing upon the anthem of the First Republic.

The coat of arms incorporated historical Armenian royal symbols and Mount Ararat.

These symbols expressed continuity between ancient and medieval Armenian statehood, the First Republic of 1918, and the emerging independent republic.

The symbolism was politically important.

It emphasized that independence was understood not merely as the separation of a Soviet administrative unit, but as the restoration of a national political tradition.