Today ceremonial events dedicated to the memory of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross and a great humanitarian, took place in the Armenian Genocide Museum on the initiative of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and with the support of the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Armenia. Hayk Demoyan, the Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, John Heffern, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Ashot Hovakimian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of RA and Kevin Patti, American historian representing Clara Barton National Historic Site had their opening remarks during the event.

The presentation of the English and Armenian editions of Clara Barton’s “American Relief Expedition to Asia Minor under the Red Cross” report (1896) also took place. The translation and publication of the Armenian edition of the report was made possible through the support of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia.

The AGMI Scientific Council decided to issue a Clara Barton Golden Medal under the “Gratitude” nomination as well as a memorial postcard. The director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan handed golden medals to John Heffern, the U.S.

Ambassador to Armenia, Ashot Hovakimian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of RA, Kevin Patti, expert in Barton and US Embassy in Armenia, as well as by means of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia golden medals will be handed to Barack Obama, U.S. President, Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State as a token of Armenian-American friendship.

Arman Kirakosyan, Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Austria also was awarded with Clara Barton Medal for his comprehensive research on Barton’s life and activities.

The temporary exhibition dedicated to Clara Barton also opened at the Armenian Genocide Museum. Afterwards the ceremonial burial of the soil brought from the Clara Barton’s grave and the placing of the memorial plaque at the Memorial Wall of Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex were fulfilled.