For the first time, a prestigious nationwide survey, conducted on November 9 by Zogby Analytics, reveals the extent of the American public’s knowledge and opinion on the Armenian Genocide and Artsakh (Karabakh). The survey results have a +/- 3.1% margin of error.

The publisher and editor of The California Courier English-language Armenian weekly, Harut Sassounian, wrote the aforesaid in an article, which specifically reads as follows:

To the question, are you aware that there was an Armenian Genocide, surprisingly only 34.8% of those surveyed answered ‘yes’; 49.6% ‘no’; and 15.6% ‘not sure.’ One would have expected that a much higher percentage of U.S. citizens would be aware of the Armenian Genocide, particularly after the large-scale Centennial commemorative events this year. The fact that half of all Americans have never heard of the Genocide of 1.5 million Armenians indicates that a major effort is needed to educate the public.

Zogby Analytics provides extensive information about the background of the participants in the survey. Here are some interesting details:

— While male respondents are evenly divided on the above question, there is a serious imbalance among women — twice as many females are unaware of the Armenian Genocide compared to those who are.

— Around half of all respondents are equally ignorant about the Armenian Genocide, regardless of political party affiliation. Liberals are slightly more knowledgeable than Moderates and Conservatives. Surprisingly, the majority of ‘Tea Party’ and ‘Occupy Wall Street’ sympathizers are cognizant of the Armenian Genocide.

— College graduates are more likely to know about the Armenian Genocide than those who are not.

— The age group 25-34 is the most knowledgeable about the Armenian Genocide, while the least knowledgeable is the age group 35-53.

— Hispanics are far more knowledgeable than ‘Whites’ about the Armenian Genocide; African-Americans and Asian-Americans are the least knowledgeable.

— Catholics are more aware of the Armenian Genocide than Protestants.

— West Coast Americans are more aware of the Armenian Genocide than their counterparts in the East; while those living in Central and Southern U.S. are the least knowledgeable.

— Americans with the highest income category ($100,000+) know the most about the Armenian Genocide; those making $35,000-$50,000 a year know the least.

In summary, the American most informed about the Armenian Genocide is: male, right or left wing political activist, college graduate, 25-34 years old, Hispanic, Catholic, lives on the West Coast, and makes over $100,000 a year; whereas the American least informed about the Armenian Genocide is: female, mainstream political party member, not a college graduate, 35-53 years old, African-American or Asian-American, Protestant, lives in the Central or Southern states, and makes $35,000 to $50,000 a year.