WHEREAS, on the night of April 24, 1915, more than 200 leaders in the Armenian community, in the city known today as Istanbul, were arrested. They were sent to prison and most were executed, beginning a horrible, systemic killing and forced relocation of the Armenian people. During these years, the government of the Ottoman Empire claimed the lives of 1.5 million Armenians and forced 500,000 more from their homeland; and

WHEREAS, the atrocities carried out against the Armenian people were grave and unimaginable, as they were subject to deportation, abduction, torture, starvation, and more. As with any violent conflict, Armenian women and children suffered the worst abuse. The bulk of the Armenian population that was displaced from their homes was forced to escape neighboring as well as faraway countries. Many fled to the United States; and

WHEREAS, today Nevada is honored to be home to a vibrant growing Armenian-American population. This thriving community is a proud reminder of survival and determination even in the face of extreme injustice; and

WHEREAS, as Americans and Nevadans, it is our duty to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and to participate in the remembrance and mourning of the loss of innocent lives a century ago; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2026, as

NEVADA DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE