1965 Yerevan Demonstrations facts for kids
The 1965 Yerevan Demonstrations were a big protest that happened in Yerevan, a city in Armenia, back in 1965. This protest lasted for 24 hours! People gathered to remember a very sad event: the 50th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Many people believe this protest was the first important step in getting the Armenian Genocide officially recognized.
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The 1965 Yerevan Demonstrations
On April 24, 1965, something amazing happened. About one million people protested for a whole day in front of the Opera House in Yerevan. This was the first time such a large protest had ever happened in the entire Soviet Union. The protesters had a clear message: they wanted the Soviet Union government to officially say that the Armenian Genocide, which happened in the Ottoman Empire, was real. They also asked for a special memorial to be built in Yerevan to remember all the victims.
Why These Protests Were Important
The Armenian Genocide was a terrible event that happened in 1915. During this time, many Armenians lost their lives. For 50 years, this event was not widely talked about or officially recognized. The people in Yerevan wanted to change that. They wanted the world to know what happened and to remember the victims. This protest showed how important this issue was to the Armenian people.
Building a Memorial
Many smart and dedicated people, like the writer Silva Kaputikyan, asked the authorities in Moscow to listen to the protesters. Their pleas were heard. A special memorial was built on Tsitsernakaberd hill in Yerevan. It was finished in 1967. This memorial stands as a place for Armenians and others to remember the victims of the genocide.
A Global Impact
The protests in Yerevan inspired people all over the world. Wherever the Armenian people live outside of Armenia, similar protests started happening. Even today, Armenians visit the memorial in Yerevan. They also continue to protest around the world. They want the country of Turkey to officially accept that the Armenian Genocide happened.
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