Updated April 24, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
The Armenian genocide began on this day in 1915, when the Ottoman government arrested and deported hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople (now Istanbul).
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What led to the start of the Armenian genocide?
The Ottoman government had long been hostile towards the Armenian population, who were primarily Christian in a Muslim-dominated empire. The outbreak of World War I provided an opportunity for the government to carry out its plan to remove the Armenian population from Ottoman territory.
What happened to the Armenians who were arrested and deported?
The Armenians who were arrested and deported were taken to detention centers and concentration camps, where many were tortured, starved, and killed. This was the beginning of a systematic campaign of violence and mass killings that would continue until 1923. Estimates of the number of Armenians who were killed in the genocide vary widely, but most sources put the number at between 1 and 1.5 million.
Has the Armenian genocide been recognized as such in modern times?
The Armenian genocide has been recognized as such by many countries and international organizations, including the United Nations. However, the government of Turkey continues to deny that genocide took place, which remains a contentious issue between Turkey and Armenia and much of the international community.
