ArmInfo.Victories of May, 1918 opened a new and glorious page in the millennia-long history of the Armenian nation. In the battles of Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan, and Karakilisa our forefathers had earned our right to live." Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated on his speech to Armenian nation in Sardarapat on the occasion of Republic Day on May 28.
"Those battles were the last and critical efforts of the nation, which had stood at the brink of extinction, and were called to defend the last piece of land of our historical homeland and to save the last remnants of our nation. That incredible heroic act was made jointly by our people from every walk of life, all strata of its society. They acted with exceptional unity and solidarity, with the selfless courage and adamant will. They acted on the highest level of national conscience and historic responsibility." Noted the head of the state, stressing that newly independent Armenia was born in flames of the First World War. Every year, we repeat as the oath of allegiance a simple truth: without the May 28, 1918, there would be no Soviet Armenia, and there would not be the present Republic of Armenia. Throughout the entire history of the Armenian people, we actually never had a greater period of statelessness as the period of time immediately preceding the May 28th. And certainly, we didn't have a more gruesome and tragic destiny in any other period of time. That is why the reestablishment of our statehood 99 years ago is of double value and importance for us, and today it is sacred for every Armenian. The Republic of Armenia not only brought statehood to her citizens but also human rights and freedoms, which were secured by law." He stated, stressing that contemporary Armenia was also born in the war flames, but this time it was the Artsakh battle. We, the citizens of today's Armenia, are true to the promise of the First Republic." President said.
The Sardarapat battle took place on May 21-28, 1918 between Armenian regular military units and militiamen, on the one hand, and Turkish troops that invaded Eastern Armenia, on the other, near the Sardarapat railway station. Today, the battle is considered not only as a stoppage of the Turkish troops to Armenia, but also preventing the complete destruction of the Armenian people. According to the British historian Christopher Walker, if the Armenians lost the battle, "it is entirely possible that the word Armenia would be preserved only as a historical term."