In 1990, Armenia officially declared its independence from the Soviet Union, taking a decisive step toward sovereignty during a time of increasing nationalistic fervor across the Soviet republics. The Armenian parliament adopted the Declaration of Independence, a culmination of years of suppressed ethnic identity and a response to both economic instability and the reformative waves brought by Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost and perestroika. This momentous decision reflected the growing aspirations of Armenians for self-determination following decades of Soviet rule.

The societal changes leading to the declaration were marked by a resurgence in Armenian cultural identity and public demonstrations advocating for independence. Throughout 1988 and 1989, a period of protests emerged, fueled by an increase in nationalist sentiments among the population. The aftermath of the 1988 earthquake, which devastated parts of Armenia, compounded the dissatisfaction with the Soviet government's ineffectiveness in addressing local needs. Communal strife, particularly surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh region, further ignited calls for autonomy.

This declaration was unprecedented in that Armenia was among the first to act decisively, setting a precedent for other republics. The move officially severed ties with Moscow and sought to establish a new government framework. The international response was largely supportive, with many countries recognizing Armenia's push for independence shortly thereafter. The declaration was not merely a political maneuver, it represented a broader aspiration for national rebirth and a rediscovery of identity that had been suppressed for decades under Soviet rule, heralding a new era in the South Caucasus.