Armenian Library & Museum of America, Inc.
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-926-2562 ext. 3
Fax: 617-926-0175
Website:
Contact: Mariam Stepanyan

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August 24, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Person: Mariam Stepanyan

Phone: 617.926.2562  ext. 3

Fax:  617.926.0175

Email: info@almainc.org

Armenian Library and Museum of America

65 Main Street

Watertown, MA 02472

Website:

ALMA PLANNING TRAVELING EXHIBIT ON WWI ARMENIAN LEGIONAIRES

October 2006 marks the 90th anniversary of the formation of the
Armenian Legion during World War I.  In celebration of this event,
the Armenian Library and Museum of America is preparing a traveling
exhibit, recognizing the volunteers of this unit.  The idea for the
traveling exhibit, which is scheduled to be completed next spring,
stems from the enthusiastic reception of an ALMA exhibit from the
fall of 2001, entitled, Forgotten Heroes: The Armenian Legion and the
Great War.

Recruitment In The Armenian Legion

  The Eastern/Armenian Legion (Legion d’Orient) was formed on
October 27, 1916, two years after the beginning of World War I,
through an agreement between Boghos Nubar Pasha, president of the
Armenian National Delegation, and the governments of England and
France.  Under the agreement, Armenian and Syrian volunteers were
recruited to fight alongside Allied forces.  At the same time, France
and Great Britain promised autonomy for the Armenians in central and
southern Turkey.  This area had been allocated to France according to
the secret agreements concluded among Allies to partition the Ottoman
Empire after the conclusion of the war.

  Armenian men from around the world, including 1,200 from the
United States, responded enthusiastically to the call for volunteers.

The most valuable contribution of the Armenian Legion during World
War I was its victory over German and Turkish forces at the Battle of
Arara on September 19, 1918.  This victory contributed to the success
of British General Edmund Allenby and the Allied Forces in Palestine.

  A traveling committee has been assembled to prepare this
exhibit, which will be available for display in Armenian and
non-Armenian venues. Those who have an interest in this exhibit or in
the Armenian Legion are encouraged to contact the Armenian Library
and Museum of America, 65 Main St., Watertown, MA 02472; 617-926-ALMA
(2562), info@almainc.org.

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