Republic Day (Armenia)

The first celebrations of Republic Day took place at the start of the Karabakh movement. On the First Republic's 70th anniversary in 1988, the Flag of Armenia was first raised in front of Matenadaran.[2] A military parade of the newly formed military on the occasion of the diamond jubilee was held on Republic Square, commanded by the Chief of the General Staff (then Lieutenant General Norat Ter-Grigoryants). Defence Minister Vazgen Manukyan delivered the holiday address during that event.

The Republic Day celebrations coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of Sardarabad, which pushed the invading Ottoman Army out of Armenia. Every year, the President of Armenia, the Prime Minister of Armenia, and the President of Artsakh visits the Sardarapat Memorial to lay a wreath at the monument. Many cultural and military events also take place on Republic Day.

2018 marked the centennial of the founding of the First Armenian Republic. Armenia spent 618 million dram on events marking the anniversary.[3] The ceremonies (known as the "Century of Victories") were attended by the President Armen Sarkissian, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan, and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.[4][5]

A ceremonial military parade was held at the Sardarapat memorial, which featured hundreds of soldiers dressed in military uniforms from the First Armenian, Red Army uniforms from World War II, as well as veterans of the first Nagorno-Karabakh War.[6] Historical vehicles such as the T-90 were also on display. It also featured subdivisions of corps of the Armenian Army, the Border Service of the National Security Service, the Police of Armenia, forces of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and for the first time, servicemen of the Russian 102nd Military Base.[7]

In the evening, on Yerevan's Republic Square, a 3D show took place.[7]