• Russia and Persia agree to the Treaty of Turkmenchay, which splits Azerbaijan's territory between the two countries. The northern territory is given to Russia and is present-day Azerbaijan.

  • The world’s first oil well is drilled south of Baku.
  • Following the collapse of the Russian Empire, an independent Azerbaijan Republic is proclaimed.
  • The Soviet Red Army invades, ending the country’s independence. Azerbaijan becomes a Soviet Socialist Republic.
  • As the Soviet Union nears collapse, Azerbaijan declares independence.

  • Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed region between Armenia and Azerbaijan, declares independence. Violence increases between the two countries, escalating into a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

  • Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh sign a ceasefire accord. Nagorno-Karabakh becomes an independent republic.

  • Azerbaijan signs a contract with international oil companies that allows for the exploration and drilling of offshore oil fields.
  • Construction begins on a multi-billion dollar oil pipeline that will carry oil from Azerbaijan to Turkey.

  • The Azerbaijani state oil company stops pumping oil to Russia in a dispute over energy prices.

  • Azerbaijan recaptures territory in and around Nagorno-Karabakh after it was under Armenian control since 1994. 

Sources:

BBC News open_in_new
Britannica open_in_new