Joe Biden's Message on the 108th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has issued a message in connection with the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

“Today we take a moment to remember the victims of the Great Catastrophe, the Armenian Genocide, and reaffirm our pledge to never forget: On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman authorities arrested Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Istanbul, marking the beginning of a systematic campaign of violence against the Armenian community. In the years that followed, one and a half million Armenians were displaced, massacred, or marched to their deaths—a tragedy that forever affected the generations of Armenian families.

As we remember this painful history, we join with countries around the world in reflecting on the resilience and determination of the Armenian people. Many survivors were forced to build new lives in new lands, including the United States. Here and around the world, the Armenian people have faced the evil of hatred with hope. They have rebuilt their communities. They have raised their families and preserved their culture. They have empowered our nation. They have also told their stories and the stories of their ancestors to remember and ensure that the genocide which occurred 108 years ago is never repeated.”