The Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn to proclaim the month of April as “Armenian History Month” in Los Angeles County.
According to the 2011 American Community Survey, an estimated 214,618 Armenians live within the Los Angeles County region. This makes Los Angeles County home to the greatest number of Armenians outside of Armenia itself. In addition to enhancing the cultural diversity of the County of Los Angeles, the Armenian community has achieved significant academic accomplishments and made tremendous artistic contributions to our region. The Armenian community offers a thriving economic base with various ethnic and specialty shops. Additionally, they have an active Armenian media and publishers, approximately 20 schools and 40 churches, a college throughout the County.
Despite the attempt to eradicate the Armenian population over a century ago, the Armenians have survived and continued to enrich the lives of those around them. The tenacity and hard work should not go unnoticed. While we have a somber day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide on April 24 commemorating the Armenian Genocide of 1915, we also want to celebrate the survival of such a vibrant culture. It is with great honor that we recognize their history and accomplishments.