Montebello Genocide Memorial facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument
General information
Type	memorial
Location	Bicknell Park, Montebello, California
Groundbreaking	1967
Opened	April 21, 1968
Cost	$125,000
Owner	City of Montebello
Height	75 feet (23 m)
Design and construction
Architect	Hrant Agbabian

The Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument, also known as the Montebello Genocide Memorial, is a special monument. It is located in Montebello, California, near Los Angeles. This monument honors the people who lost their lives in the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

The memorial opened in April 1968. It is a tall structure with eight arches. These arches are supported by 75-foot-tall white concrete columns. Hrant Agbabian designed this important memorial. It is the oldest and largest monument in the United States built to remember the Armenian Genocide victims.

A special plaque at the memorial reads:

Armenian Martyrs Memorial Monument: This Monument was built by Armenian-Americans. It honors the 1,500,000 Armenian victims of the Genocide. This terrible event was carried out by the Turkish Government from 1915 to 1921. It also remembers people from all nations who have suffered from crimes against humanity.

Every year on April 24, thousands of Armenians gather here. They come from all over the Los Angeles area. American politicians also join them. This day is called Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. People lay flowers to honor the victims.

History of the Memorial

After the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 1965, the Armenian community in Los Angeles wanted to build a memorial. They wanted a permanent place to remember the victims. They looked for a good spot in Montebello for many months.

They found land in Bicknell Park. This land had been given to the city for public use. A group of Armenians, led by Michael Minasian, started planning the monument. Michael Minasian was the founder of the Armenian Monument council. They looked at many different designs.

On January 12, 1967, the city voted to approve the design. The vote was 4 to 1. Newspaper headlines announced, "CITY ACCEPTS PLANS OF ARMENIAN SHAFT." Armenians from all over the world helped raise money. They collected $125,000 for the project.

Journalist Garin Hovannisian said building the monument was a big step. He called it a "milestone" for Armenians in the United States. He explained that it took almost three years of meetings and fundraising. Finally, the monument was dedicated in a public park.

Many different Armenian groups came together for the opening. More than ten thousand Armenians attended the ceremony. George Deukmejian, who was a State Senator then, read a message from Governor Ronald Reagan. He later became the Governor of California.

Signs showing the way to the monument were put up. These signs are along California State Route 60. They were installed near the Garfield/Wilcox exits on March 22, 2011.

Important Visitors

Many important people have visited the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument.

Gallery

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  The memorial under construction

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  The memorial under construction

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  Faraway view at the memorial during construction

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  The memorial plaque

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  April 24, 2008

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  The memorial in 2012

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  Close up

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  Woman offering prayers April 2016