The Scottish National Party leader announced the date to Holyrood as the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill was published and declared that it would be the "historic day when the people will decide Scotland's future".
The Bill is "the most important legislation to be introduced" since the devolved Scottish Parliament was established in 1999, he said, adding that the legislation was important for what it would allow Scotland to achieve "with the powers of an independent country".
The vote is taking place after the Scottish National Party won an unprecedented majority in Holyrood in the 2011 election.
Mr Salmond said that in the ballot the people of Scotland would have a choice.
"Next year the choice facing the people is one of two futures. A No vote means a future of governments we didn't vote for, imposing cuts and policies we didn't support. A Yes vote means a future where we can be absolutely certain, 100% certain, that the people of Scotland will get the government they vote for," he said.
Sources: ITN and PA