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YEREVAN. - On Thursday, April 24, 2014 Armenians living worldwide and many states commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; the first genocide of the 20th century.

Under the instruction of the Ottoman rulers, the massacre and mass deportation of Armenians commenced on this day in 1915.

Commemoration events are held in virtually all countries where Armenians live. The key events will be held in Armenia's capital city Yerevan, at the Armenian Genocide Memorial on Tsitsernakaberd Hill. Armenian authorities, the Catholicos of All Armenians, state and public institution representatives, hundreds of thousands of people, and guests will come to Tsitsernakaberd to remember the Genocide victims. Numerous Armenian-diaspora representatives also visit Yerevan on this day to participate in the memorial march.

Several US Congress members also have come to Yerevan this year to pay tribute to the Genocide victims. They will take part in the tree planting and, subsequently, place flowers to the Genocide Monument.

During the First World War, the Turkish authorities accused Armenians of sympathizing with Russia and used this as a pretext to declare the entire Armenian population their enemy.

The 1915-1923 events are considered by many historians as a state-supported mass murder - genocide. Armenia states that the death toll exceeds 1.5 million people; the half of all Armenians at the beginning of the last century.

The fact of the Armenian Genocide is formally recognized by many states. It was first recognized in 1965 by Uruguay. The Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey is also recognized by Russia, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, and 42 US states. The Armenian Genocide is likewise recognized by the Vatican, the European Parliament, and the World Council of Churches.

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