Armenians In Cleveland

MSNBC has started a new survey on the PBS panel on the Armenian Genocide.

Please click here and vote NO.

The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) has sent e-mails to thousands of Turks asking them vote for the panel. As of now, 66% of the voters have voted for the panel.

Please vote NO and tell others to do the same.

Armenia is in western Asia. It shares a border on the north with Georgia, Azerbaijan on the east, and Turkey on the west and south.

The first group of Armenians came to the United States in 1895, through Ellis Island. They drifted to areas where work could be found, and inevitably wound up in Cleveland. They came to Cleveland to work in the steel mills, but at that time, there were probably only 20 people or so.

A larger group came in the early 1920's, after the 1915 genocide. The highly educated Armenians fled to Europe and even Egypt. The villagers and less sophisticated Armenians traveled to the United States.

It is typical for Armenians to adapt quickly to the community they are in, and they did so here in Cleveland. Quite often Armenians are business owners. Education is of vital importance to Armenian parents and being sure their children received as much education as possible was (and is) paramount.

Currently there are an estimated 2000 Armenians in Greater Cleveland and 3000 statewide.

A Short History of Armenia

It is not possible to do justice to a brief history of a country that boasts being one of the earliest sites of civilization. But there are some highlights that may help give a feel for the proud heritage the Armenian people embrace:

In 1918, Armenia declared itself an independent country, but this was not destined to last long. In 1922 they were incorporated into the USSR as part of the Transcaucasian Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1936 Armenia became a separate Soviet Socialist Republic and remained such until 1991. In 1992 Armenia became a member of the United Nations.

The 1915 genocide of the Armenian people is still officially denied by the Turkish government, but Armenians are quick to point out that the 1.5 million Armenians killed at this time cannot be denied. It has been acknowledged internationally, including the United States.

April 24, 2002, President George W. Bush commented in part "…Today, we commemorate an appalling tragedy of the 20th century, the massacre of as many as 1.5 million Armenians through forced exile and murder at the end of the Ottoman Empire. These horrific killings left wounds that remain painful for people in Armenia, in Turkey, and around the world. I join the Armenian community in America and across the globe in mourning this horrendous loss of life…."

---

Visit our on-line Armenian Store
Books, Music, DVDs, Clothes, Flags and More

Armenian Organizations

Books about Armenia

Armenian Culture, Language and Food