(Left) Armenian ancient eternity symbol; (Center) A woman wearing traditional garb holding a pomegranate which is the Armenian mythological symbol for life and abundance. (Right) Armenian Genocide Memorial with the eternal flame, in remembrance of the 1.5 million massacred victims, Yerevan, Armenia.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrates Armenian Heritage & History Month 2024 by honoring and highlighting the diverse culture, heritage, and contributions of Armenian Americans throughout history. We encourage our community to study, observe, and celebrate this vibrant community and its rich heritage. This nationally recognized month pays homage to the traditions, cuisine, artistic expressions, languages, people, culture, and stories of Armenian communities.
Honoring Armenian Heritage & History Month
President Biden officially recognized the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2021. In various states, American Armenians designate April as Armenian Heritage and History month for fostering awareness and education, in alignment with Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24th.
This initiative aims to acknowledge and celebrate the profound cultural, historical, and societal contributions of Armenian Americans. It serves as a symbolic tribute to the enduring resilience, ingenuity, and impact of the Armenian people across generations in America, offering a platform to share and honor their deep-rooted, millennia-old cultural heritage.
STEM Scholar Highlights:
Hovhannes Adamian, Pioneer of Color Television
Nubar Afeyan, Inventor, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Co-Founder Moderna
Emik Avakian, Inventor of Disability Appliances
Arthur Bulbulian, Inventor of Oxygen Mask
Raymond Damadian, Scientist and Inventor of MRI
Richard Donchian, Pioneer of Technical Commodity Trading
Albert Kapikian, Virologist, Founded Rotavirus Vaccine
Anna Kazanjian Longobardo, Pioneer for Women in Engineering
Varaztad Kazanjian, Founding Father of Modern Plastic Surgery
Edward Keonjian, Father of Microelectronics
Alex Manoogian, Inventor of the Delta Faucet
Cyrus Melikian, Inventor- Coffee Vending Machine
Asatour Sarafian, Father of Automatic Transmission
Luther George Simjian, Inventor of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
Stephen Stepanian, Inventor of Elevator, Conveyor, Concrete Mixing Truck
Michel Ter-Pogossian, Medical Physicist
Armenian History and Recent Events:
APRIL 24, 1915, REMEMBERING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
On April 24th, 1915, hundreds of Armenian intellectuals were arrested by Turkish officials, thus marking the start of the Armenian Genocide. Following the arrests were systematic deportations and mass killings, which resulted in the deaths of over a million and a half Armenians and hundreds of thousands of Greeks and Assyrians. To this very day, the Turkish government continues to deny the atrocities that they are responsible for, while also continuing to contribute to the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh. Despite happening over a hundred years ago, the Armenian Genocide has had long-lasting and profound effects on Armenians, who have dispersed globally, including the United States, because of the first genocide of the 20th century.
SEPTEMBER 2023 ETHNIC CLEANSING OF ARTSAKH ARMENIANS
The Artsakh War of 2020 saw the resurgence of ethnic cleansing in the South Caucasus region, particularly in the contested territory of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). Azerbaijani forces, with support from Turkey, engaged in a campaign targeting Armenian civilians, with reports of widespread atrocities including killings, forced displacement, and destruction of cultural heritage sites. This deliberate attempt to erase Armenian footprint from the region intensified the humanitarian crisis and deepened historical wounds. The ethnic cleansing of indigenous Armenians during the Artsakh War underscores the urgent need for international intervention to protect the indigenous civilian population and uphold human rights in conflict zones.
On Campus Event April 24:
Join WPI’s Armenian Students Association in the viewing of The Promise on April 24 at 6PM in Fuller Labs (Lower). Enjoy authentic Armenian treats while you watch the movie!
Movie Synopsis: Brilliant medical student Michael (Oscar Isaac) meets beautiful dance instructor Ana (Charlotte Le Bon) in late 1914. Their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between Michael and Ana's boyfriend (Christian Bale), an American photojournalist who's dedicated to exposing the truth. As the Ottoman Empire crumbles into war-torn chaos, their conflicting passions must be deferred as they join forces to get themselves and their people to safety.
Read, Learn, Watch, Explore, and Visit:
Read Armenian Legacy in America- A 400-Year Heritage
Read Who She Left Behind
Read A Shameful Act, by Taner Akçam
Learn Timeline of Armenian-Americans
Learn History of Armenian-Americans
Learn Armenian Genocide Museum
Learn WPI Armenia Project Center
Learn Pomegranates - Another Symbolic Fruit of Armenia
Learn History of Eternity Symbol
Watch Commemorating the Armenian Genocide at the State House
Watch Yerevan, Armenia Travel Guide
Watch 10 Best Places to Visit in Armenia
Explore 16 Cool Facts about Armenia
Explore Ancient Armenia
Visit Armenian Heritage Park, Boston
Visit Armenian Museum of America, Watertown
Visit Armenian Church of Our Savior, Worcester
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) promotes and oversees all student facing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) learning experiences, programs, services, trainings, and initiatives for WPI.