Every Armenian, from schoolchild to scholar, knows that the first Republic of Armenia that declared its independence on May 28, 1918, was nothing short of a miracle. It was a heroic feat pulled off by a people that imperial Turkey had brought close to extinction. Republican Turkey, with Azerbaijan’s support, does not pursue different goals today.
Yet this 104th anniversary is also a call to action. In any healthy society, there will be different currents of thought, political movements, and even irreconcilable views on major issues. Three things, however, will find Armenians united: we will not give up the independence of our country; we will not give up Artsakh, and we will keep pushing for justice until Turkey and Azerbaijan are held accountable for their repeated acts of genocide against the Armenian people.