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Independence Day (Armenia)

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Independence Day
Armenian: Հայաստանի Անկախության օրը
Observed by Armenia
 Artsakh
Armenia Armenian diaspora
TypeState
SignificanceThe day the Armenian SSR voted in a referendum in 1991 to gain independence from the Soviet Union.
CelebrationsFireworks, Concerts, Parades
DateSeptember 21
Next time21 September 2025 (2025-09-21)
Frequencyannual

The Independence Day of Armenia (Armenian: Հայաստանի Անկախության օրը) is the main state holiday in Armenia. This date is celebrated on September 21.

History

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On August 23, 1990, Supreme Council adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Armenia proclaiming the Armenian SSR abolished and the establishment of the Republic of Armenia.[1] Armenia refused to sign the New Union Treaty. After the failed August putsch, the people of Armenia voted in a referendum to proclaim independence from the Soviet Union on September 21, 1991. Levon Ter-Petrosyan was elected the first president of Armenia in November 1991. On December 21, 1991, Armenia joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Armenia gained independence formally on December 26 in connection with the dissolution of the USSR.[2]

This is the second declaration of independence in modern Armenian history, the first having occurred on May 28, 1918 which led to the formation of the First Republic of Armenia. This First Armenian Republic was short-lived due to its partition by the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and Turkish Nationalist forces in late 1920.[3]

Celebratory events

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Independence Day decorations in Republic Square.

The following celebratory events are held on Independence Day one way or the other:

  • A national awards ceremony of the President of Armenia for honouring military veterans and honoured citizens.
  • Historical events held at primary and secondary schools in Armenia.
  • Special programs in honour of the History of Armenia.
  • An armed forces exhibition is opened to the public.
  • Concerts at public squares in Yerevan.

During a ceremony in honor of Gyumri's City Day, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced a new tradition to hold national celebrations in different parts of the country, starting with Gyumri in 2019.[4] In 2020, a revised ceremony took place at Victory Park, during which Sukhoi Su-30 fighters performed a flyover in a finger-four formation above the park's eternal flame.[5][6]

Independence Day military parade

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A mobile Krunk UAV at the 2016 parade.

Military parades celebrating the independence of Armenia have been held on Republic Square in Yerevan in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2006, 2011, and 2016.[7]

The celebrations begin as the parade commander (Usually the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces with a billet of a Lieutenant General or Colonel General) arrives on Republic Square to receive the report from the Commandant of the Vazgen Sargsyan Military University on the readiness of the troops participating in the parade. At 10 am, the President and the Prime Minister arrives as the parade commander orders the parade to present arms for the Defence minister of Armenia. The parade commander then is driven on a Nissan Patrol SUV to the center of the square to inform the defense minister that the parade is now ready for inspection. The minister then inspects the parade contingents and congratulates them on the holiday. At the conclusion of the inspection, the minister approaches the president on the tribune and says "Mr/Madam President, the troops of the Armed Forces of Armenia participating in the parade in honor of the anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia, are ready for the parade to march past". After the minister finishes their report to the president, the parade commander orders the parade to stand at ease, to where the Presidential Fanfare is then sounded, and the president then delivers a holiday address to the assembled formations.

The referendum of 1991 also included the Armenian population of Artsakh voting for independence from the Soviet Union. With the population being 99% Armenian both historically and during the 1991 referendum, there was a unanimous decision to be recognized as an independent republic.

At the conclusion of the address, the parade formations shout a threefold Oorah, followed by the playing of Mer Hayrenik by the massed bands of the general staff. The parade is then ordered to prepare for the march past, with armed linemen and markers from the Honour Guard of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia marching to their post in front of the central tribune to provide the security for the march past. The parade commander then orders the parade to march past the saluting base with the Corps of Drums from the Monte Melkonian Military College setting the pace of the parade led by its drum major, followed by the national colour guard and then the parade contingents. As the Corps of Drums marches past the grandstand, the drum major executes eyes right as the drummers swing their sticks. The parades includes personnel from the Armenak Khanperyants Military Aviation University, the Military Police, the 12th Peacekeeping Brigade, the Armenian Border Guard, and veterans of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army.[8]

1996

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The parade in 1996 celebrated the 5th anniversary of independence.[9] It coincided with the 1996 Armenian presidential election, which would take place the day after. The opposition charged President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who was in attendance, with putting on a show of force to his opposition and particularly supporters of his opponent Vazgen Manukyan.[10]

1999

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The 1999 parade that celebrated the 8th anniversary of independence was commanded by Major General Manvel Grigoryan and inspected by Lieutenant General Vagharshak Harutiunyan. New rocket systems were seen among the military hardware seen. Many questioned the wisdom of spending public funds for the parade while others were enthusiastic, with an Armenian-American described the parade as "beautiful to see" and as a demonstration of an "ability to take care of ourselves and not to be massacred as we have in our history".[11]

2006

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2006 celebrated the 15th anniversary of Armenia's independence. The parade began with Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan, and Chief of Staff Mikael Harutyunyan inspecting the troops congratulating them on the holiday.[12][13] This was the first time the parade speech was given by the President of Armenia.

2011

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Armenia celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2011.[14][15][8] Inspecting the parade was Minister of Defence Seyran Ohanyan, and the Chief of the General Staff Colonel General Yuri Khatchaturov.[16] A group representing the Russian Army's 102nd Military Base in Armenia took part in the parade alongside Armenian troops for the first time.[8] The Krunk UAV was demonstrated for the first time at the parade.[17]

2016

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Armenia's 25th anniversary parade in 2016 was the biggest celebration in Armenia's history.[18][19] Commanding the parade was Major General Andranik Makaryan, the commander of the Joint-Forces. More than 350,000 people were spectators and participants of the events. Among the new participants were students of Small Mher School and the youth wing of the Yerkrapah.[20] An international peace brigade carrying the flags of the United States, Germany, Italy, Poland and Greece took part in the parade.[21] Several Russian-made weapons were on display, the most important of which were 9K720 Iskander. A dozen MiG-29 fighter jets from Russian and Armenian Su-25 attack aircraft flew overhead.[21]

The parade also saw the introduction of the posting of the Flag of Armenia, the flag of the Ministry of Defence, and the flag of King Ashot II the Iron before the parade proceedings. The flag-bearing group was headed by Major-General Ishkhan Matosyan. Also before the start of the military parade, was the head of the military clergy, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, reading the "Lord's Prayer".[22]

Russian troops at Republic Square during the silver jubilee parade in 2016.

Diaspora celebrations

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Independence day celebrations are also held in diaspora countries such as Russia, Lebanon and the United States. In the United States specifically, Armenian-American youth organizations hold rallies and cultural programs on this day.[23] The Armenian Independence Day Festival in Los Angeles's Little Armenia was established in 1998, attracting around 5,000 spectators on Independence Day.[24] In 2019, Prime Minister Pashinyan visited the city during the Independence Day celebrations, the first visit of its kind.[25][26] On the holiday in 2020, the personal star of singer Arman Hovhannisyan was installed on the Walk of Fame in Las Vegas.[27] That same year in Lebanon, Aram I (head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia) led the divine liturgy and ceremonial flag blessing in Antelias.[28] Also on the holiday in 2020, the Mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser proclaimed September the 21st as “Armenian Independence Day” in the United States capital city.[29]

Places lit in Armenian symbols on Independence Day

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Flag of Armenia

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Other

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Controversy with some celebrations

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In early September 2021, the government announced plans for celebrations of the 30th anniversary independence on a large scale. These plans were criticized by the public, with many, including family members of soldiers killed in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, deeming it as inappropriate considering Armenia's defeat in that war. Many opposed to these plans proposed a gathering at Yerablur on 21 September.[41][42][43]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ПРАЗДНИК.BY". Prazdnik.by. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
  2. ^ "День независимости Армении". Calend.ru. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
  3. ^ Armenia: A Historical Atlas, by Robert H. Hewsen and Christoper C. Salvatico, 2001
  4. ^ ""Gyumri is to be the focus of Armenia Independence Day festivities this year" – Nikol Pashinyan congratulates Gyumri residents on City Day - Press releases - Updates - The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia". www.primeminister.am. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  5. ^ Elliott, Raffi (2020-09-21). "Armenia Marks Independence Day Under Pandemic Protocols". The Armenian Weekly. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  6. ^ "PM watches festive flight of Armenian Air Force". www.primeminister.am.
  7. ^ "Первый был проведен в 1992 году. Тогда шла Карабахская война, армия независимой Республики Армения только формировалась, и военнослужащие прямо с площади отправлялись на фронт. Второй парад состоялся в 1996 году, в честь пятилетия создания армянской армии, когда уже был заключен договор о перемирии. Затем был исторический парад 1999 года, во время которого стоявший на трибуне глава правительства Вазген Саркисян со слезами на глазах приветствовал солдат и от радости и волнения все время стучал рукой по трибуне". Aravot-ru.am.
  8. ^ a b c "Army Displays Military Might on Independence Day". Asbarez.com. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  9. ^ pandukht (2011-09-22). "Военный парад 1996 года в Ереване". Pandukht.livejournal.com. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  10. ^ https://www.csce.gov/sites/helsinkicommission.house.gov/files/092296ArmenianElections.pdf Archived 2016-09-08 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL PDF]
  11. ^ "Armenia Marks Independence Anniversary With Military Parade". Asbarez.com. 1999-09-21. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  12. ^ Media, Noev Kovcheg. "15 лет Независимости Армении". Noev-kovcheg.ru. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  13. ^ "Armenia Marks Independence Day With Military Parade". Human Rights Armenia. Archived from the original on 2018-10-18. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  14. ^ Danielyan, Emil (22 September 2011). "Armenia Parades Military Might On Independence Day". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  15. ^ "Serzh Sargsyan attended the military parade of the RA Armed Forces dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Armenian independence - Press releases - Updates - The President of the Republic of Armenia". President.am. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  16. ^ "The parade was commanded by Chief of Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Colonel-General Yuri Khachaturov. The parade was received by the Armenia's Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan". Asbarez.com. 24 September 2011.
  17. ^ Gary Mortimer (22 September 2011). "Armenian made UAVs on parade". sUAS News. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  18. ^ "Military Parade Highlights Independence Day Celebrations in Armenia". Asbarez.com. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  19. ^ "LIVE: Parade dedicated to 25th anniversary of Armenia's Independence kicks off in Yerevan". armenpress.am. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  20. ^ "Yerevan military parade: Units' march kicks off (PHOTOS)". news.am. 25 May 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Armenia Showcases New Missiles in Independence Day Parade | Armenian News By MassisPost". Armenian News By MassisPost. 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  22. ^ LLC, Ayb Solutions. "ՄԵՐ ԻՐԱՎՈՒՆՔԸ ԵՎ ԱԶԱՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ ՊԱՇՏՊԱՆՈՂ ՈՒԺԸ". Hay Zinvor. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  23. ^ "Republic of Armenia's 24th Independence Day Celebration in Las Vegas - Armenian National Committee of America". Anca.org. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  24. ^ "Armenia's independence, culture celebrated at annual Glendale festival". Glendale News-Press. 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  25. ^ "Prime Minister to pay working visit to United States". www.primeminister.am. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  26. ^ "In first LA visit, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan addresses thousands of the diaspora community outside City Hall". Daily News. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  27. ^ "Pop star Arman Hovhannisyan to be honored with star on Las Vegas Walk of Stars". 7 August 2020.
  28. ^ "Divine Liturgy and flag blessing in Antelias ahead of Armenia's Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  29. ^ "Mayor Bowser proclaims September 21 as "Armenian Independence Day" in Washington, DC". Public Radio of Armenia. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  30. ^ "Niagara Falls to be lit up with colors of Armenian flag on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  31. ^ "Armenian flag to be raised in front of Ottawa City Hall on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  32. ^ "Abu Dhabi skyscraper, Burj Khalifa in Dubai to be lit up in colors of Armenian flag on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  33. ^ "Tbilisi TV tower lit up in colors of Armenian flag". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  34. ^ "Abu Dhabi skyscraper, Burj Khalifa in Dubai to be lit up in colors of Armenian flag on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  35. ^ "Jack House in Kyiv lit up in colors of Armenian flag on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  36. ^ "Armenian flag and the Coat of arms light up the evening in Nur Sultan". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  37. ^ a b c d "Colors of Armenian flag light up the night in Uruguay and Argentina".
  38. ^ "Cairo Tower lights up in colors of Armenian flag".
  39. ^ "Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is illuminated in tricolors of Armenian national flag". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  40. ^ "Google celebrates Armenia's Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  41. ^ ""Պահանջում ենք չեղարկել"․ զոհվածների հարազատները՝ "գունագեղ" տոնական միջոցառման մասին - JAMnews".
  42. ^ "Families Outraged at Government's Planned Lavish Independence Day Celebration – Asbarez.com". 10 September 2021.
  43. ^ "Անկախության տոնը նշելու վերաբերյալ Փաշինյանի ձևակերպումը միանշանակ չի ընդունվել". www.azatutyun.am.
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