Triple holiday of May 9: special day for Armenian peopleMay 9, 2013 - 01:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - May 9 is a special day for Armenian people. In 1945, the defeat of fascist Germany saved us from Turkish occupation, and, consequently, the second Genocide. This might be the reason Armenians fought not only for their Soviet motherland, which was understandable, but for Armenia as well. The small Armenia gave the world three Marshalls – Hovhannes Baghramyan, Hamazasp Babajanyan, Armenak Khanferyants and one admiral – Ivan Isakov. The heroes of the Soviet Union, holders of the Order of Glory – their names are forever written in the memories of the Armenian people. It’s no secret that if German forces hadn’t been stopped at Stalingrad, Turkish army would immediately have broken into the Armenian SSR. World War II lessons must not be forgotten or diminished, though one of the most bloody wars in the history of humanity keeps being “rewritten” for political gains of different countries. Yes, in Soviet times the history of the Great Patriotic war was seen the way it was presented by the USSR Political Bureau. Yet, this is the war as it was actually experienced by Soviet people and the second front, opened in 1944, when the outcome of the war was clear. The Allies helped: by providing equipment, weaponry and fuel, but it was Soviet Army who fought the war. 20 to 27 million Soviet people and about half a million Americans died in World War II. We don’t mean to extol or diminish the sacrifice of either ones, but justice requires to own the great contribution of the Soviet army to the victory. 47 years later, on May 9, Armenian army won another victory, liberating the ancient capital of Karabakh, Shushi. It was here that Karabakh’s present-time defense army was born, believed by many experts to be the one of the strongest in the region. Every year, the triple holiday of May 9 is celebrated by veterans of Artsakh war and WWII alike. Their numbers dwindle as years pass by, they might be old and ill, but they keep the memory of those years alive. Karine Ter-Sahakyan / PanARMENIAN News Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. |