Armenia Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Independence

Armenians all over the world on 21 September celebrated the Independence Day of Armenia.

The Declaration of Independence of Armenia was adopted by the session of the Supreme Council of Armenia on August 23, 1990, after which time the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic was renamed the Republic of Armenia.

The Supreme Council of Armenia on September 21, 1991, held a referendum on secession from the USSR and established independent statehood. 94.99% of the citizens of the republic who took part that referendum, voted "yes". Two days later, on September 23, the Supreme Council proclaimed Armenia an independent state after 70 years under Soviet rule.

Following their declaration of independence, dozens of countries recognized the Republic of Armenia. First to do so was Lithuania, even before the declaration of independence, on 14 August 1991. Then, throughout the remainder of that year, an additional 47 states recognized the independence of Armenia.

By Dimitri Dolaberidze