Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is observed on April 24. Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, also known as Genocide Memorial Day, is a public holiday in Armenia that is honored by Armenians around the world to mourn and remember the genocide that happened. It is commemorated yearly to memorialize the casualties of the Armenian Genocide, which occurred between 1915 and 1923. Hundreds of thousands of people travel to the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, to leave flowers at the memorial’s eternal flame. The Armenian notables exiled from the Ottoman capital in 1915, which included several Armenian scholars and community leaders, the majority of whom were killed, are commemorated on April 24. This deportation was a forerunner to the events that followed.
History of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
Ethnic Armenians all over the world commemorate April 24 as a day of profound sorrow. It commemorates the day that authorities of the Ottoman Empire, the forerunner of modern-day Turkey, rounded up and murdered hundreds of Armenian community leaders in what became Istanbul. It was then known as Constantinople. That triggered a chain of events that resulted in the deaths of over a million Armenians.
Armenia had been a part of the Ottoman Empire since the 15th century. The Armenian population flourished and grew throughout the Ottoman Empire, and it had grown to a substantial proportion by the time much of modern-day Armenia was subjected to Russian control in the late 19th century. In 1914, the Ottoman Empire sided with the Germans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in World War I. The religious leaders proclaimed a religious war against all Christians, except for those who sided with them. This was bad news for Christian Armenians, as the Turkish government regarded the Armenian community as a hostile force to be defeated.
As a result, Armenians were persecuted and murdered. About 400,000 Armenians remained in Turkey by 1923, compared to a prior population of more than two million at the time of the persecution. On Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, throngs of Armenians assemble at the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial to remember the victims of the genocide and to place flowers at its eternal flame. Following the 1965 Yerevan demonstrations, during which 100,000 people marched through the streets of Yerevan for 24 hours to mark the 50th anniversary of the deportations, the memorial’s construction began. They asked that the Soviet authorities recognize it as genocide on an official basis. Armenia officially recognized April 24 as a national day of remembrance in 1988.
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day timeline
The Armenian Genocide killings begin in Constantinople.
The first time the genocide is commemorated takes place at the Armenian Trinity Church.
The genocide ends with less than half of the population remaining.
Countries such as the U.S. and Argentina officially recognize the participation of local Armenians on Remembrance Day.
100 years after, Armenians observe the Armenian Genocide.
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day FAQs
What is the Montebello Genocide Memorial?
The Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument is a memorial in Montebello, California, dedicated to the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The monument is an eight-arched tower supported by 75-foot-tall (23 m) white concrete columns. Designed by Hrant Agbabian, the memorial is the earliest and biggest Armenian Genocide memorial in the US.
What is the event that began the genocide?
On April 24, 1915, hundreds of Armenian intellectuals were arrested and killed that day. Then ordinary Armenians were evicted from their houses and marched through the desert without food or drink.
Does the world recognize the Armenian Genocide Remembrance?
Yes, it does. The right of Armenians to uphold the public holiday is upheld in nations across the world. Leaders such as President Biden mention the day when it is celebrated. This is definite recognition.
How to Observe Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
Watch a documentary
You can watch a documentary. Educate yourself about the Armenian Genocide to learn more about the history of the genocide and the impact it had on the Armenian people.
Become enlightened
You need to educate yourself and the people around you about the Armenian Genocide and similar issues. You can also put posts up on social media about what you learned or make presentations with your friends to exchange your learnings.
Talk to Armenian descendants
Some of the surrounding Armenians may be children or grandchildren of survivors. You can talk to them to see how the genocide impacted them and their family members.
5 Facts About The Armenian Genocide
Forget-Me-Not
The flower is the official symbol of the Armenian Genocide.
Recurrent cases of violence
It was between 1915 and 1918 that the Armenian Genocide occurred, with recurrent instances of violence happening between 1920 and 1923.
The United Nations Convention
It was in 1948, nearly 30 years after the Armenian Genocide, that the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted.
Descendants of survivors
The vast majority of Armenians in the United States are the offspring and grandchildren of survivors.
Number of victims
Between 1914 and 1923, the Ottoman Empire lost between 300,000 and two million people.
Why Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is Important
It raises awareness
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day raises awareness about the genocide that happened. It also allows the Armenian people to process and speak about the genocide from their perspective.
Never forgotten
The victims of the genocide are gone but never forgotten. Flowers are dropped for them at the eternal flame in remembrance of them.
It’s a day of remembrance
It reminds us of which history not to repeat. Even though some deny it occurred, days like this serve to remind humankind to be more humane.
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | April 24 | Thursday |
2026 | April 24 | Friday |
2027 | April 24 | Saturday |
2028 | April 24 | Monday |
2029 | April 24 | Tuesday |