Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2020

April 24, 2020

Today we join the global community inâ¯memorializing the lives lost duringâ¯the Medsâ¯Yeghern, oneâ¯of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century.â¯ Beginning in 1915, 1Â½ million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in the final years of the Ottoman Empire.â¯â¯Onâ¯this day of remembrance, weâ¯pay respect to those who suffered and lost their lives, while also renewing our commitment to fostering a more humane and peacefulâ¯world.â¯

Every year on April 24, weâ¯reflectâ¯onâ¯theâ¯strong and enduring tiesâ¯between the American and Armenian peoples.â¯ Weâ¯are proud of the founders of the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, a groundbreaking effort established in 1915 that provided crucial humanitarian support to Armenian refugees, and grateful for the thousands of Americans who contributed or volunteered to help Armenians expelled from their homes.â¯â¯

On this day, we bear witness to the strength and resiliency of the Armenian people in the face of tragedy.â¯ Weâ¯are fortunate that so many Armeniansâ¯have broughtâ¯their rich culture to our shoresâ¯and contributed so much to our country, includingâ¯decorated soldiers, celebrated entertainers, renownedâ¯architects, and successful businesspeople.â¯

We welcome efforts by the Armenians and Turks to acknowledge and reckon with their painful history.â¯â¯On this day, we believe it isâ¯our obligationâ¯toâ¯rememberâ¯those who suffered and perished and reaffirm our commitment toâ¯protectingâ¯vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities around the world.â¯

Categories: Statements by the President : Armenian Remembrance Day.

Subjects: Armenia : Relations with Turkey; Civil rights : Freedom of religion; Civil rights : Minorities :: Minority rights and ethnic tolerance; Holidays and special observances : Armenian Remembrance Day; Immigration and naturalization : Citizenship; Immigration and naturalization

: Refugees; Turkey : Relations with Armenia.

DCPD Number: DCPD202000290.

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