28/05/2013 11:34
Today is Republic Day
Today is Republic Day. Armenia declared its independence on May 28, 1918, two days after the dissolution of the Transcaucasian Seim.
The fact was enshrined in a May 28 declaration adopted by the Armenian National Council of Tiflis (Tbilisi). Later, at the beginning of June, the Council issued a statement that laid the foundations of the Democratic Republic of Armenia. Before the government’s arrival from the Georgian capital, the Yerevan National Council took charge of the country’s affairs. It was headed by Aram Manukyan, who later became an interior minister.
Shortly after declaring independence, Armenia was forced to sue for negotiations at Treaty of Batumi, (signed in the Georgian town on June 4, 1918). Under the document, Turkey recognized Armenia’s independence.
On July 19, 1918, the National Council finally arrived in Armenia. The country’s supreme legislative body called the Council of Armenia was formed on July 19. It was composed of different political parties, as well as non-partisan members and national minorities (46 members. of whom 18 were ARF-D representatives).
The executive, formed on July 24, represented three key figures – the prime minister, Hovhnannes Kachaznuni, the interior minister, Aram Manukyan, and the minister of foreign affairs, Hovhannes Khatisyan.
At its first meeting on August 1, the Council appointed Avetik Sahakyan (ARF-D) its chairman.
Yet the First Republic existed only two years. .Russia’s 11th Red Army began its virtually unopposed advance into Armenia on November 29, 1920. The actual transfer of power took place on December 2 in Yerevan. The Armenian leadership approved an ultimatum, presented to it by the Soviet plenipotentiary Boris Legran. Armenia decided to join the Soviet sphere, while Soviet Russia agreed to protect its remaining territory from the advancing Turkish army.
Since 1992, May 28 has been observed as First Republic Day, with celebrations held in Armenia and Artsakh.