Armenia marks 16th anniversary of independence

PanARMENIAN.Net - On September 21 Armenia is celebrating the 16th anniversary of independence. By tradition, the leaders of the state, representatives of political parties and NGOs attend the Yerablur Pantheon to pay homage to the memory of killed heroes of the Karabakh war.



Festivities will be held throughout the country today. The holiday will end in fireworks in the Republic Square.



The Declaration of Independence was passed at the first session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Armenia on August 23, 1990. The Declaration annulled the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and proclaimed independent Republic of Armenia.



By edict of the Supreme Council of Armenia, a national referendum on secession from the USSR was held on September 21, 1991. 94,99% of Armenian citizens voted for independence. On September 23 the Supreme Council proclaimed Armenia an independent state.