The anticipation that had been building on May 8 turned into jubilant pandemonium on May 9. SHOUSHI WAS TRIUMPHANTLY LIBERATED.

The three years preceding the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide must be a time for the Armenian nation to redouble its efforts toward the realization of the Armenian Cause and the movement for the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide must be equally coupled with the pursuit of justice and demands for reparations and restitution for the Genocide.

Not in a long time have the stakes been so high for Armenians both in Armenia and across key communities of the Diaspora, including the United States.

The 20th anniversary of the re-establishment of Armenia’s independence is an important milestone for the Armenian nation.

The people of Artsakh, on September 2, 1991, declared independence from the Soviet Union and became the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

What the 1918 Independence represents is more than just our nation’s resilience to, in the face of Genocide, liberate the Armenian people after centuries of imperial rule. The Independent Republic of 1918 is also the reason why there is a Republic of Armenia today for if it were not for the heroic determination of Armenians 93 years ago, Armenia could have been swallowed by oppressive forces and could have ceased to exist.

We are still disturbed that when Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze told reporters in Yerevan this fall that Javakhk does not exist, Armenia’s foreign minister Eduard Nalbandian stood idly without countering those dangerous statements.

President Obama, resorting to an 18th Century loophole written into our Constitution to deal with the slow pace of horse-drawn carriages, made this last-minute “recess” appointment while on vacation in Hawaii on December 29th, just days after the Congress left Washington. Bryza’s term will last less than a year, unless he is confirmed by the full U.S. Senate.

The new decade, like no other, will bring significant turning points for Armenians, and our ability to confront the challenges has the promise to elevate our potential as a nation.

Long before there was a Universal Declaration on Human Rights on December 10, 1948, the provisions of which have yet to be fostered by all citizens of the world, a political force came onto the world stage specifically to protect the rights and aspirations of the Armenian people—the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

Forty years ago today, with a decision from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee, Asbarez unveiled its new English edition.

What began as a year of hope is winding down to being one of immense disappointment and marred by huge threats to our national aspirations and the Armenian Cause.

Today is the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As we look back on the past six decades, it is evident that the signatory nations have not fully adhered to the declaration, nor have they respected the impetus for drafting this important document.

Today marks the 101st anniversary of Asbarez. As such, we conclude our year-long celebration/observance of our centennial. In the course of producing special issues and special events, the challenges that we and our predecessors have overcome to ensure the longevity of our newspaper have been at the forefront of our every-day internal discussions of our 100th anniversary.