California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed the week of April 19th through April 26th as “Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”

“It is important to remember the horrors of the past in order to keep history from repeating itself. The Armenian Genocide was a terrible breach of human rights and an event that has outraged the world. Between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million innocent Armenians lost their lives at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, and 500,000 more were forced from their homeland.The atrocities carried out against the Armenian people were grave and unimaginable, as they were subjected to deportation, abduction, torture, starvation and more” said California Governor.

“Today, California is honored to be home to a vibrant Armenian-American population, the largest outside the Republic of Armenia. This thriving community is a proud reminder of survival and determination even in the face of extreme injustice. As Americans and Californians, it is our duty to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and to participate in the remembrance and mourning of the loss of innocent lives.”

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