Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument
The largest memorial to the Armenian Genocide in the United States.
Atlas Obscura
Towering above the surrounding area is the abstract and imposing 75-foot-tall Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument. It is appropriately situated in the city of Montebello, home to one of the oldest Armenian communities in Southern California. It was the first memorial in the U.S. dedicated to the genocide built on public land, in contrast to earlier, smaller monuments typically located on church properties, a shift that marked a new level of visibility and recognition.
The memorial’s construction coincided with a period of cultural revival among Armenian Americans during the 1950s and 60s. Following the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 1965, where thousands of Armenians marched through the streets of Los Angeles in solidarity and remembrance, the community decided to build a memorial in California.
Design by H. Hrant Agbabian, it integrates modernism with the traditional conical Armenian church layout. Despite vocal opposition from the Turkish government, the memorial was inaugurated in 1968 with the blessing of both city and state officials, and with 10,000 people in attendance.
As the oldest and largest monument in the U.S. dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide , it was added to the list of California state historical landmarks in 2025.
