May 28 marks establishment of First Republic of Armenia

Today, May 28, is one of the most sacred dates in Armenia’s calendar - Republic Day. On this very day in 1918, the Armenian National Council declared the establishment of the independent Republic of Armenia. The Armenian people gave a decisive yes to their right to exist. Through tremendous struggle and the heroic battles of Bash-Aparan, Sardarapat, and Gharakilisa, the long-awaited statehood was achieved.

After the tragedies of the early 20th century, the creation of the First Republic of Armenia was, in some sense, nothing short of a miracle. Just three years after being uprooted from their homeland and subjected to genocide, the Armenian people managed to organize themselves, wage self-defense battles, prevail, and establish a state.

Unfortunately, the First Republic was short-lived. On December 2, 1920, the Red Army occupied Armenia and declared it a Soviet Republic. Armenia restored its independence only in 1991, through the referendum held on September 21.

The establishment of the Republic of Armenia in 1918 was not a gift, nor the result of coincidence, as some try to portray it. Through heroic struggle and self-defense battles against vastly superior enemy forces, the Armenian people succeeded in winning independence.

On the occasion of the day, a military parade started at 10:00 a.m. at Republic Square in Yerevan.