History

Reagan hails the courage of Armenians after the December 1988 earthquake

About the Archive

This is a digitized version of an article from The Times’s print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them.

Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions.

In his final Christmas message as President, Ronald Reagan praised the ”breathtaking bravery” of the survivors of the Armenian earthquake today and asked Americans to join him in ”a time for prayer.”

”Tomorrow is a day for celebration – celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ,” Mr. Reagan said in his weekly radio address. He spoke of the traditions of Christmas and added that this was a ”happy season featuring Hanukkah as well.”

He paid homage to the victims of the earthquake in Armenia. He also sent a holiday greeting to the survivors, although, he said, ”In Armenia, the birth of our Lord is not celebrated until January Sixth,” according to the Julian calendar.

”We have been witnesses to the breathtaking bravery of the people of Leninakan and Spitak as they ready themselves for the task of going on,” the President said. ”And yes, they will go on; for the Armenian people are made of hardy stuff.”

The New York Times Dec. 25, 1988

President Reagan’s Radio Address on Christmas and Armenian Earthquake on December 24, 1988

Video source Reagan Library

Vigen Avetisyan

Recent Posts

The Frescoes of Dadivank Monastery and the Misinterpretation of Heritage

The medieval monastery of Dadivank is one of the most important spiritual and artistic centers…

3 days ago

Armenian Orphan Girls in New York (1917): A Forgotten Act of Witness and Relief

In 1917, at the height of global upheaval during World War I, a small but…

1 week ago

The Armenian Genocide: State Crime, Mass Participation, and the Burden of Historical Responsibility

The Armenian Genocide (1915–1921 ...) was not an accident of war, nor a tragic byproduct…

2 weeks ago

The First Printed Armenian Bible (Amsterdam, 1666–1668)

Introduction The first printed edition of the Bible in the Armenian language stands as one…

2 weeks ago

Armenopolis (Gherla): An Armenian “Ideal City” in the Heart of Europe

Armenopolis (modern-day Gherla, Romania) is a remarkable example of how the Armenian diaspora not only…

3 weeks ago

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia

Regarding the Remarks of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group at the Permanent Council…

3 months ago