Montebello Genocide Memorial Explained

Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument
Building Type:memorial
Cost:$125,000[1]
Owner:City of Montebello
Location:Bicknell Park,
Montebello, California
Groundbreaking Date:1967
Opened Date:April 21, 1968
Height:75feet
Architect:Hrant Agbabian

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 75adj=midNaNadj=mid white concrete columns. 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:

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.[2] [3]

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".[4] Armenians from around the world participated in the fundraising, which gathered $125,000.

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". He also notes that "ARF, Ramgavar, Armenakan, Apostolic, Catholic, Protestant, and every other category of Armenian converged at Bicknell Park for the opening ceremony". 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.

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.[5] [6]

Notable visitors

See also

References and sources

Notes
Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Montebello, CA. United Armenian Council for the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Los Angeles. September 1, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120629152102/http://uacla.com/monument.htm. June 29, 2012.
  2. News: Martin. Marc. 25 April 2012. Marches and commemorations in Southland mark Armenian genocide. Los Angeles Times. 6 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121015072817/http://framework.latimes.com/2012/04/25/armenian-genocide/#/0. 15 October 2012. dead.
  3. Book: Hovannisian, Richard. The Armenian Genocide: Cultural and Ethical Legacies. 2008. Transcription Publishers. New Brunswick, New Jersey. 978-1-4128-0619-0. 201.
  4. News: Molina. Sandra T.. 24 April 2012. Thousands commemorate Armenian genocide at site of Montebello monument. Whittier Daily News. 6 October 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120622112841/http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_20474161/thousands-commemorate-armenian-genocide-at-site-montebello-monument. 22 June 2012.
  5. Web site: Genocide Monument Freeway Signs Installed. March 24, 2012. Asbarez. September 1, 2012.
  6. News: Pool. Bob. 2 April 2011. Freeway signs in Montebello take note of Armenian genocide. Los Angeles Times. 6 October 2012.
  7. Book: Bobelian. Michael. Children of Armenia. 2009. Simon & Schuster. New York. 978-1416558354. 133. 1st Simon & Schuster hardcover.
  8. News: 7 000 Gather to Pay Tribute to Genocide Victims. Asbarez. 25 April 1997.
  9. News: Elected Officials Call For End to Turkey's Gag Rule During Genocide Commemoration Event. 24 May 2013. Asbarez.
  10. News: Wight. Pam. Montebello remembers Armenian genocide. Whittier Daily News. April 20, 2006.
  11. News: 1,500 attend commemoration of Armenian genocide at Montebello monument. 24 May 2013. Whittier Daily News.
  12. News: U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein calls on Turkey to recognize Armenian Genocide. 24 May 2013. PanArmenian.
  13. News: LA County Sheriff visits Armenian Genocide Martyrs' Monument. 24 May 2013. PanArmenian.
  14. News: ANCA-WR JOINS COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE WESTERN US IN MARKING THE 95th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE. 24 May 2013. ANCA. https://web.archive.org/web/20130619004621/http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=1867. 19 June 2013. dead.
  15. Web site: Events commemorating the 98th anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide. ANCA.
  16. News: Molina. Sandra. Thousands commemorate Armenian genocide at site of Montebello monument Read more: Thousands commemorate Armenian genocide at site of Montebello monument. 24 May 2013. Whittier Daily News.
  17. News: Ghazanchyan. Siranush. Armenian community memorializes genocide victims, celebrates culture's survival in Montebello. Public Radio of Armenia. 24 April 2015.

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