Armenian-Canadians marked a somber anniversary on Sunday. It's been almost a century since as estimated 1.5 million Armenians perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.
In 1915, in the midst of World War I, the Turkish government organized the genocide of Armenians. Between 1915 and 1918, millions of Armenians were deported, tortured, starved and killed.
Every year on April 24th, as Armenians worldwide mark the anniversary of the genocide, there is also renewed debate over whether it even happened. Or if it could even be called genocide. Many countries, including Turkey, refuse to acknowledge the organized killing of Armenians in 1915.
Young Armenians say they will continue to commemorate the day and push for recognition. "It's not going to stop us from continuing our battle," says Talar Poladian. "I think it does make us stronger and continue to want to try and get that recognition."
"We need to remember these things so that it's not repeated… to Armenians or any other race," says J.P. Assadourian of the Armenian National Committee, Cambridge chapter.
At a special ceremony in Cambridge, Armenian-Canadians too young to have been affected by the tragedy still felt its importance. "The pictures are really hard to see," said Poladian. "Those are our ancestors -- the Armenian people. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued this statement on the anniversary: "96 years ago, the Armenian people experienced terrible suffering and loss of life. We must never forget the lessons of history. Nor should we allow the enmities of history to divide us."
Canada officially declared the actions of the Ottoman Empire in 1915 were genocide back in 2006.
