Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is an annual global day of remembrance dedicated to honoring the Armenian victims of genocide. The tragic events that occurred must never happen again. This day serves as a solemn reminder to future generations of the hardships the Armenian people endured. It is observed every year on April 24th.

History

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day has been observed since 1988, when it was officially adopted by the Armenian government.

To understand the significance of this day, we must delve into the history of the genocide. Armenia had been part of the Ottoman Empire since the 15th century, where the Armenian people lived, prospered, and developed. In the late 1800s, large areas of Armenian lands became part of Russia. With the outbreak of World War I, the Ottoman Empire aligned itself with Germany. The religious leaders of the state declared all Christians as enemies, and as the Armenian population was predominantly Christian, they became targets. As a result, most Armenians were expelled from their homes, tortured, and killed. The Armenian population was reduced by more than fourfold.

In mourning for the innocent victims, the first commemoration was held in 1965, when residents laid flowers at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial and marched for 24 hours through the streets of Yerevan. Since then, people have marched every year until, more than 20 years later, the government officially established this day of remembrance.

Interesting Facts

• The 1965 memorial action brought together 100,000 people. Today, the number of participants is much higher.
• Estimates of the number of Armenians killed in the genocide vary, but the average figure is around 1.2 million.

How to Celebrate

Express your support and sympathy to all the Armenians you know on this day. If you are a supporter of the Armenian people or have family ties, consider visiting Yerevan to participate in the large-scale commemorative events.

Share information about this day on social media to raise awareness and ensure that more people know about it.

When is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in 2025?

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is observed on April 24 each year.

Observations