Many Armenian Americans in Rhode Island and beyond have pledged to never forget the Armenian genocide.
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is today, April 24, 2026. It marks the 111th anniversary of when the mass-killing of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire began.
Hundreds of thousands of Armenians fled the genocide and immigrated across the United States, from Los Angeles, California to Providence, Rhode Island.
“Providence is home to a small, but vibrant, Armenian population, and three Armenian churches: Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church, Saints Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, and Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church,” the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief said.
Here’s what you need to know about Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Rhode Island.
What was the Armenian genocide?
The Armenian genocide began in 1915 during World War I as Turkish leaders began to murder and deport hundreds of thousands of Armenians from the Ottoman Empire. It ended in 1923 with 1.5 million Armenians dead and hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes.
Though the modern-day Turkish government has taken steps to address the atrocities, it has refused to recognize the scope of the killings and disputes it was a genocide.
What countries have recognized the Armenian genocide?
The following countries have recognized the Armenian genocide, according to the Armenian National Institute:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Paraguay
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Slovakia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- United States
- Uruguay
The House and Senate passed a resolution in 2019 recognizing the Armenian genocide, and, in 2021, then-President Joe Biden recognized the Armenian genocide.
However, the second-term administration of President Donald Trump has been criticized for being cold on American recognition of the genocide, with California Sen. Adam Schiff chastising the president last year.
“Today, President Trump has retreated from recognizing the Armenian Genocide and betrayed the memory of those who were lost,” Schiff said. “This may gratify the Turkish dictator, but it is a profound setback to the cause of justice and human rights.”
This past February, Vice President JD Vance deleted a post using the term ‘Armenian genocide’ after he visited an Armenian genocide memorial.
Bringing it back to Rhode Island, the state legislature has also approved a resolution to officially recognize April 24 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
How do you respectfully observe Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day?
There are multiple ways to observe Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day respectfully, from being in community with other Armenian people to attending events that mourn the people who were lost to bloodshed and violence.
The Armenian Weekly said that there will be a service at the Martyrs’ Monument at the North Burial Ground in Providence, Rhode Island commemorating the 1915 Armenian Genocide, on April 26, 2026, at 12:30 p.m.
Deirdre Shesgreen contributed to the reporting of this story.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com.
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2026/04/24/armenian-genocide-remembrance-day-2026-providence-rhode-island/89729552007/
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