Spiritual and religiousCentral Asia and the CaucasusSecular and civic
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
In its own language: Մեծ Եղեռնի զոհերի հիշատակի օր
An annual day of mourning and remembrance for the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.
This public holiday falls on April 24 each year to honor those killed during the Ottoman Empire's campaign against Armenians. It is observed in Armenia and by communities across the diaspora who gather to remember the loss of life and culture.
When is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day kept?
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is kept every year on April 24.
People observe this day to remember the Armenians who died during the genocide of 1915. The date marks the start of the deportations from Constantinople. Communities worldwide hold ceremonies to honor the dead and keep their history alive.
Origins of the observance
The first gathering took place in Istanbul in 1919, organized by survivors at a local church. Many community leaders joined the event. The date was chosen because it marks the arrest and deportation of Armenian intellectuals in 1915. This early meeting set the pattern for future annual commemorations.
Global recognition
Uruguay became the first country to officially recognize the day in 1965. Argentina passed laws in 2007 to mark the occasion. Canada designated the month of April for remembrance in 2015. France held its first national commemoration in 2019. Uruguay later passed legislation in 2024 to formalize the date as a remembrance day.
Commemorations in Yerevan
In the capital city, large crowds walk to the Tsitsernakaberd memorial site. Visitors place flowers at the eternal flame to pay respects. The gathering serves as a central point for national mourning. Officials often attend to reaffirm ties with other nations that share this history.
Political milestones
Efforts to gain official status have varied over time. A US resolution in 1975 faced opposition in the Senate. Soviet Armenia adopted the date as a public holiday in 1988. California declared the day in 1997 and again in 2025. These steps show how different regions have chosen to acknowledge the tragedy through law and ceremony.
How Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is kept
Communities gather for prayers and speeches. People lay flowers at memorials dedicated to the victims. Families visit cemeteries or specific sites like Tsitsernakaberd. Public institutions may close to allow participation. Diaspora groups organize events in their local neighborhoods to ensure the memory persists abroad.
When and where
The observance occurs annually on April 24. This date was selected because it marks the beginning of the mass deportations in 1915. It remains fixed throughout the year regardless of other calendar shifts.
The tradition is strongest in Armenia, particularly in Yerevan. It is also widely observed in countries with large Armenian populations such as France, the United States, Argentina, and Uruguay. Local chapters of the diaspora hold their own gatherings.
What Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day means
The day represents a collective effort to remember those who were lost. It honors the resilience of a people who survived displacement. The act of laying flowers symbolizes respect for the dead and a commitment to preventing future atrocities.
Questions people ask about Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
When is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day kept?
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is kept every year on April 24.
Where is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day kept?
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day belongs to the traditions of Armenia, France, Uruguay, Canada and Argentina, and is tied most closely to Yerevan.
Who keeps Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day?
As our sources describe it, Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is kept by Armenians. Many other communities and families now share it too.
See also
Eid al-FitrThe feast that ends Ramadan, opened with morning prayers, sweets and visits home
ChristmasA festival of Jesus's birth, kept on 25 December with gifts, lights and shared meals
HalloweenAn annual observance on 31 October marking the eve of All Saints' Day, rooted in Christian tradition and Celtic heritage
Christmas treeA decorated evergreen or artificial tree placed indoors to mark the Christmas season.Good reading and sources
- France marks 104th anniversary of Armenian genocideDeutsche Welle, Article
- France marks 104th anniversary of Armenian genocideDeutsche Welle, Article
- Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.
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