For countless people, the Armenian Genocide isn’t just a part of history; it’s a deeply personal story. My family’s roots trace back to a small village in northwestern Armenia, Gyumri, a target of the Ottoman Empire’s plans. Due to this event, life in Gyumri was difficult, with citizens were constantly in a state of fear and poverty. My great-grandmother, a beacon of strength, owned a Middle Eastern headdress adorned with sterling silver coins. She would trade each coin within her village for necessities, such as potatoes, flour, and even salt. Each fleeting coin represented a thread in the tapestry of the damages done during this historical period. Just before all the coins on the headdress were traded away, her life was taken by an Ottoman soldier. As the village was raided, my great-grandfather was preparing to flee to the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. To keep his family’s valuable jewelry safe from the soldiers, he wore it all; head to toe, he was decorated with silver and gold traditional Armenian necklaces, bracelets, and rings, while he kept multiple pairs of earrings in his pockets. As he left his small house, he was killed and tortured by an Ottoman soldier, and all the jewelry he dedicated to protect was taken along with his life.

Despite the Armenian cultural heritage nearly being erased, the nation rebuilt their lives and passed on their traditions. The Armenian diaspora is one of the most prominent examples of the resilience and cultural preservation of the Armenians. As a result of the genocide, many Armenians were forced to flee their ancestral homeland, ending up in countries such as the United States, Lebanon, Syria, France, Argentina, and Palestine, to name a few. Despite being scattered across the globe, they have managed to maintain a strong connection to their roots, whether that is displayed through food, music, or art. Charles Aznavour, a renowned singer and songwriter, was born in France and was the son of parents who had escaped the genocide. Despite separating from the country, he spoke and sang in Armenian, never forgetting his roots.

The Armenian Genocide has had a very complicated and complex legal history. To this day, many countries, including Azerbaijan, Turkey, Pakistan, Israel, and various other nations don't recognize this event. Even despite the powerful denial of these countries, the truth remains. April 24th, 2021 was the day that shook the legal atmosphere surrounding the Armenian Genocide. President Joe Biden had formally recognized the atrocities committed against the nation and its people, after American lawyers had been trying to bring attention to this topic for the past 100 years. For example, in 2013, Varoujan Deirmenjian and other California residents filed a class action lawsuit against Duetsche Banks operating in Turkey as a response to the German banks allegedly withholding money from Armenian accounts as a result of the genocide. The court worried that their decision would harm U.S. relationships with Turkey, which resulted in the government defeating a bill which would recognize the genocide. (Baghdassarian) The recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States was noted as a step towards restoration and awareness.