1915 Armenian Genocide

The 1915 Armenian Genocide was the systematic forced removal and killing of around 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Often considered the first genocidal act of the 20th century, the Ottoman authorities targeted Armenians, accusing them of aiding enemies, and responded with mass deportations, massacres, and death marches. This atrocity resulted in the near-total destruction of the Armenian community in the Ottoman Empire and is recognized by many countries as a genocide, though Turkey disputes this characterization. The event remains a significant and sensitive historical memory.