The area called Şehitler Street (Martyrs’ lane, Kirov Park), which is within walking distance to the city center, was first named Şehitler Street in memory of the funerals of Azerbaijan and Turkish soldiers who were killed by the Soviet Army during a catastropih event, known as the January Massacre and and later to those killed in Nagorno-Karabakh War. Martyrs' Lane is also home to the large memorial to the 1,130 Turkish troops, which were killed while fighting Bolshevik and Armenian forces in the Battle of Baku in 1918. Estimated number of 15,000 people are buried in the cemetery park.

In 1990, former Soviet troops raided Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. At that time, Baku was protesting against Armenian expansionists demanding part of Azerbaijan territory. However, tanks and armored vehicles from the former Soviet Union attacked the peaceful demonstrators. As a result, 147 civilians were killed and about 800 injured. Hundreds of people were also arrested and tortured in several forms. The massacre was recorded in Azerbaijan history as "January Massacre.“