Spitak Remembrance Day
On December 7, 1988, an earthquake hit and nearly destroyed the Armenian cities of Spitak, Gyumri, and Vanadzor. The vibrations were so strong from this quake that they could be felt even 100 kilometers away. More than twenty-five thousand people ended up dying, and nineteen thousand were left disabled by this quake.
Armenia (Observance)It also caused an enormous amount of damage, leaving 530,000 people homeless afterward. It’s considered by many to be one of the most devastating earthquakes of the 20th century. That’s why every December 7th is observed annually in Armenia to remember all of those who died and suffered as a result of this earthquake. This is known as Spitak Remembrance Day.
Interesting Facts About Armenia
In honor of Spitak Remembrance Day, we thought we’d do some research and list some facts about Armenia that might interest anyone reading about this remembrance day. What we came up with can be found below.
- In the village of Areni, archaeologists found what they believe to be the oldest winery in the world.
- Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion.
- Yerevan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It’s almost three decades older than Rome.
Observing Spitak Remembrance Day
On this day, memorial services and special church services are held. Since this is a remembrance day and not a public holiday, schools, businesses, or government offices are not closed on this day—unless the day falls on a date when these places would already be closed.
People can spread the word about this remembrance day and remember the victims of this earthquake by using the hashtag #SpitakRemembranceDay on social media.
Armenia (Observance)
