Montebello Genocide Memorial

Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument
General information
Type memorial
Location Bicknell Park,
Montebello, California
Groundbreaking 1967[1]
Opened April 21, 1968[2]
Cost $125,000[1]
Owner City of Montebello[3]
Height 75 feet (23 m)
Design and construction
Architect Hrant Agbabian
Website
armenianmonument.org

The Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument, better known as Montebello Genocide Memorial, is a monument in Montebello, California in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The monument, opened in April 1968, is a tower of eight arches supported on 75-foot-tall (23 m)[1] white concrete columns.[3] The memorial was designed by Hrant Agbabian. It is the oldest and largest memorial in the United States dedicated to the Armenian Genocide victims. The inscription on the memorial plaque reads:

“ Armenian Martyrs Memorial Monument: This Monument erected by Americans of Armenian descent, is dedicated to the 1,500,000 Armenian victims of the Genocide perpetrated by the Turkish Government, 1915–1921, and to men of all nations who have fallen victim to crimes against humanity.[3] ”

As part of the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, thousands of Armenians from different parts of Greater Los Angeles area and American politicians gather in Montebello memorial every year on April 24 and lay flowers to the victims of the genocide.[4][5]

History

After the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 1965, the Armenian community of Los Angeles decided to build a memorial, which would serve as a permanent location for commemorating the Armenian Genocide victims. They spent months looking for a site in the city of Montebello and came across land that the Bicknell family had dedicated to the city for public use. A group of Armenians led by Michael Minasian who was the founder of the Armenian Monument council started the process of exploring different architectural drawings. On January 12, 1967 the city Approved by a vote of 4-1 the design to build the Armenian Genocide memorial, the headlines read "CITY ACCEPTS PLANS OF ARMENIAN SHAFT".[6] Armenians from around the world participated in the fundraising, which gathered $125,000.[1]

According to journalist Garin Hovannisian, the building of the monument was a "milestone for the Armenians of the United States". Then he continues, "it had taken almost three years of city hall meetings, town hall debates, and community fund-raising to consecrate, in public park, a monument".[7] He also notes that "ARF, Ramgavar, Armenakan, Apostolic, Catholic, Protestant, and every other category of Armenian converged at Bicknell Park for the opening ceremony".[8] According to Hovannisian more than ten thousand Armenians attended the dedication ceremony. Then State Senator George Deukmejian, who would later become Governor of California, read Governor Ronald Reagan's proclamation.[2]

Signs showing the location of the Armenian Genocide Martyr's Monument were installed along California State Route 60 near the Garfield/Wilcox exits on March 22, 2011.[9][10]

The monument is set to be listed as a historical landmark during the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 2015.[1]

Notable visitors

See also

References and sources

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "History of the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Montebello, CA". United Armenian Council for the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Los Angeles. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Hovannisian 2010, p. 90.
  3. 1 2 3 "Monument at Bicknell Park in Montebello, California". Armenian National Institute. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  4. ↑ Martin, Marc (25 April 2012). "Marches and commemorations in Southland mark Armenian genocide". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  5. ↑ Hovannisian, Richard (2008). The Armenian Genocide: Cultural and Ethical Legacies. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transcription Publishers. p. 201. ISBN 978-1-4128-0619-0.
  6. ↑ Molina, Sandra T. (24 April 2012). "Thousands commemorate Armenian genocide at site of Montebello monument". Whittier Daily News. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  7. ↑ Hovannisian 2010, p. 89.
  8. ↑ Hovannisian 2010, pp. 89–90.
  9. ↑ "Genocide Monument Freeway Signs Installed". Asbarez. March 24, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  10. ↑ Pool, Bob (2 April 2011). "Freeway signs in Montebello take note of Armenian genocide". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  11. ↑ Bobelian, Michael (2009). Children of Armenia (1st Simon & Schuster hardcover ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 133. ISBN 1416558357.
  12. 1 2 3 "ANCA-WR JOINS COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE WESTERN US IN MARKING THE 95th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE". ANCA. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "7 000 Gather to Pay Tribute to Genocide Victims". Asbarez. 25 April 1997.
  14. ↑ "Elected Officials Call For End to Turkey's Gag Rule During Genocide Commemoration Event". Asbarez. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  15. ↑ Wight, Pam (April 20, 2006). "Montebello remembers Armenian genocide". Whittier Daily News.
  16. ↑ "1,500 attend commemoration of Armenian genocide at Montebello monument". Whittier Daily News. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein calls on Turkey to recognize Armenian Genocide". PanArmenian. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  18. ↑ "LA County Sheriff visits Armenian Genocide Martyrs' Monument". PanArmenian. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  19. 1 2 Molina, Sandra. "Thousands commemorate Armenian genocide at site of Montebello monument Read more: Thousands commemorate Armenian genocide at site of Montebello monument". Whittier Daily News. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  20. 1 2 "MONTEBELLO ANC COMMEORATES GENOCIDE THROUGH MUSIC AND ART". ANCA. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  21. ↑ "Events commemorating the 98th anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide". ANCA.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Ghazanchyan, Siranush (24 April 2015). "Armenian community memorializes genocide victims, celebrates culture's survival in Montebello". Public Radio of Armenia.
Sources

Coordinates: 34°1′42.19″N 118°7′51.40″W / 34.0283861°N 118.1309444°W / 34.0283861; -118.1309444

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