YEREVAN (Armenpress) — On May 28 Armenians worldwide celebrated the 99th anniversary of establishment of the First Republic of Armenia and the historical victory in the battle of Sardarapat.
On May 28, 1918, with the victory in the battles of Sardarapat, Bash Aparan and Gharakilisa, the Armenian people’s independence was restored which had been lost more than nine centuries before.
Together with soldiers, families, elderly people, children, women were in the battlefield. Defeating the Turkish army in Sardarapat the Armenian forces managed to prevent the Turkish invasion in South Caucasus and save Armenia from total elimination.
On May 28, 1918, the Armenian National Council declared in Tbilisi the First Republic of Armenia. Hovhannes Kajaznuni was the first Prime Minister of Independent Armenia.
On May 28, traditional ceremonies are being held across Armenia and Artsakh in memory of fallen Armenian heroes. The Armenian highranking leadership visits Sardarapat memorial to pay tribute to the memory of fallen heroes.
Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan congratulated the Armenian people on the occasion. “May 28 is the most important milestone for the foundation of our statehood and democracy. Despite all difficulties and challenges, our people in 1918 heroically received their inalienable right to live and have future. Today, we ought to continue that path symbolizing the greatest values of our independence and freedom. I once again congratulate all of us, wish peace and high mood.”
