For 102 years, Armenians not only in America, but all around the world have been demanding for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

On March 28, the Board Supervisors of Los Angeles County, Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger agreed to pass the motion to officially declare April to be known as “Armenian History” month in order to partake in celebrating their various accomplishments in the community and to celebrate their culture as a whole.

According to 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, her website says that in a survey conducted in 2011, there are approximately 214,618 Armenians that live in the LA county, showing the LA region is home to the highest Armenian community, without factoring in the county of Armenia of course.

Barger’s website also said that, “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.”

Siranush Ghazanchyan, a writer for the Public Radio of Armenia quoted Supervisor Janice Hahn who said, “During Armenian History Month, L.A. County will celebrate the rich culture and heritage of the Armenian people worldwide and their contributions to our society as well as recognize the dark days of the Armenian Genocide.”

While LA county declared April to be, “Armenian History” month, Orange County as of April 12 declared April to be, “Armenian History” month as well.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors came together to address the motion of dedicating April 24 as a day of remembrance for the Armenian Genocide. Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Reverend Moushegh the parish priest of St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa, and Forty Martyrs Armenian church member Karekin Bedourian had all been in attendance. Orange County Superior Judge Gassia Apkarian, passed out U.S. and Armenian flag pins in order to commemorate this historical moment.

Although this recognition only occurred in LA and Orange County, it is only a matter of time until it reaches San Diego. Slowly but surely, this genocide is being recognized all around the world. Germany, Switzerland, Uruguay, Syria, France, Canada and many more countries stand with Armenians to help recognize this unjust event in history.

As the great Armenian writer William Saroyan once said, “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.”

102 years later Armenians are still coming together, and are still fighting to have the world recognize this mass killing of 1.5 million people. We will not be silenced until everyone knows.