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The Armenian community of Toronto held a march on Sunday to mark the 99th anniversary of the First Armenian Republic.
Over 800 participants walked by the streets of Toronto, Inside Toronto reports.
250 young men from Homenetmen, a scouting group formed in 1918 to organize Armenian youth, including orphaned survivors of the Armenian Genocide, led the parade.
According to the organization member Danny Margorian, they are going to turn the march into an annual event.
Had there not been 28 May 1918, the present-day Republic of Armenia would not have existed.
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said the aforementioned in his address delivered at Sardarapat Memorial Complex on Sunday.
In particular, the president noted the following:
“I congratulate all of us on the Republic Day.
The May victories of 1918 opened a new and glorious page in the centuries-old history of our people. In the battles of Sardarapat, Baş-Aparan and Gharakilisa, our ancestors gained the right to live.
These battles were the last and fatal efforts of the Armenian people standing on the brink of extermination. They were to defend the last land parcels of our historical homeland and save the last remnants of our people. This seemingly impossible feat was carried out by all the strata of our people. They acted through exclusive unity and organization, personal courage and persistent will. They acted on a high level of national recognition and historical responsibility.
The newly-independent Armenia was born under the torrent of the WWI volleys. Every year we repeat as an oath of allegiance one simple truth: Had there not been 28 May 1918, Soviet Armenia and the present-day Republic of Armenia would not have existed
During the entire history of the Armenian people, we have perhaps not had a longer period of statehood deprivation than the stage which immediately preceded May 28. And we certainly have had no graver and more tragic fate than during any previous era. That is why the restoration of statehood 99 years ago was twice precious, being sacred to each Armenian even now.
The Republic of Armenia brought not only independent statehood to its citizens, but also human rights and freedoms, which had already been enshrined by laws.
Present Armenia was also born in the fire of war, but this time in Artsakh front. We, the citizens of present-day Armenia, are committed to the commandments of the First Republic.
Dear compatriots,
I once again congratulate all of us on this great holiday. I wish peace and creative work for the sake of the progress and wellbeing of our country.
Long live the Republic of Armenia!
Glory to our people!”
May 28, 2014 | 00:09
YEREVAN. – Armenia celebrates First Republic Day on May 28.
The Armenian regular military forces and volunteers defeated the Turkish troops, in May 1918, and thus prevented the latter’s invasion of Armenia’s capital city Yerevan.
This triumph enabled the Armenian people to restore their statehood, which was lost centuries ago.
It was 96 years ago on this day that the Armenian National Council declared, in Tbilisi, Armenia’s independence and the creation of the First Republic of Armenia.
The May 28 celebrations in Armenia are traditionally held at Sardarapat Memorial, which eternalizes the memory of the Armenian heroes who prevented a Turkish invasion of Armenia in 1918.