May 9 is a special day for Armenian people. In 1945, the defeat of fascist Germany saved us from Turkish occupation, and, consequently, the second Genocide. This might be the reason Armenians fought not only for their Soviet motherland, which was understandable, but for Armenia as well. The small Armenia gave the world three Marshalls – Hovhannes Baghramyan, Hamazasp Babajanyan, Armenak Khanferyants and one admiral – Ivan Isakov. The heroes of the Soviet Union, holders of the Order of Glory – their names are forever written in the memories of the Armenian people.

It’s no secret that if German forces hadn’t been stopped at Stalingrad, Turkish army would immediately have broken into the Armenian SSR. World War II lessons must not be forgotten or diminished, though one of the most bloody wars in the history of humanity keeps being “rewritten” for political gains of different countries. Yes, in Soviet times the history of the Great Patriotic war was seen the way it was presented by the USSR Political Bureau. Yet, this is the war as it was actually experienced by Soviet people and the second front, opened in 1944, when the outcome of the war was clear. The Allies helped: by providing equipment, weaponry and fuel, but it was Soviet Army who fought the war. 20 to 27 million Soviet people and about half a million Americans died in World War II. We don’t mean to extol or diminish the sacrifice of either ones, but justice requires to own the great contribution of the Soviet army to the victory.

47 years later, on May 9, Armenian army won another victory, liberating the ancient capital of Karabakh, Shushi. It was here that Karabakh’s present-time defense army was born, believed by many experts to be the one of the strongest in the region. Every year, the triple holiday of May 9 is celebrated by veterans of Artsakh war and WWII alike. Their numbers dwindle as years pass by, they might be old and ill, but they keep the memory of those years alive.