Historic Armenia lies on the Northern part of the Middle East, sandwiched between Asia Minor and the Iranian plateau. Geographically its borders merge with the natural borders of the Armenian Highland. The latter's strategic location between East and West, as well as its fertile lands and natural resources, became the main reason for foreign Invasions for centuries

The first mention about the Armenians is in the inscription on Behistun Rock, made by Darius 1, King of Persia, dated to VI century B.C. as well as in the monumental work of Herod "History in Nine booKs v century B.c.). The history of the Armenian nation and its homeland presents itself as a chronology and series of the endless struggle for survival, foreign dominance and liberation, martyrdom and revival. The territory of Armenia was a target for military incursion by Assyrians Persians, Parthians, Romans, Arabs, Seljuk Turks, Mongols and many others. But Armenians survived during more than 3000 years of history, being the heirs of historical Urartu or Ararat Kingdom until the modern Republic or Armenia.

In the first century B.C.. Armenia was under the rule of the Artashid Dynasty. Under the vigorous leadership of Tigran the Great II (95-55 B.C.), Armenia became a powerful kingdom whose borders stretched from the Caucasus to the Mediterranean and from the Caspian sea to Cappadocia.

From the first century A.D. until VII century, Armenia became a battle field for numerous wars between Romans and Pathians and ten between the Byzantine and Persian Empires. During this period the Armenian nation not onlv struggled tor survival but also became the first nation to officially adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 A.D.. Another important landmark event was the creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405 A.D. by Mesrop Mashtots. Also of significance was the Battle of Avarayr. 451 A.D., when Armenians fought for and won religious freedom from the Persians

In XI-XIII centuries, large numbers of Armenians moved to different places seeking safe haven from the constant suffering in their homeland. One of the results or such large migrations was the establishment of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (1080-1375), on the northeastern shores of the Mediterranean. This kingdom connected Armenians with European civilization via trade, cultural and political ties

In 1453, Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and established their rule over Armenia. It was the beginning or centuries or suffering and tyranny from the Ottoman rulers. This period of time included discrimination. pogroms. periodic massacres, kidnappings and compulsory enlistment for the military, all of which led up to the genocide of 1915 when the Turkish Government resorted to ethnic cleansing of its minorities