2019-12-07 Sat

December 7 is the Spitak Earthquake Remembrance Day in Armenia. On this day, Armenian citizens commemorate the victims of the 1988 Armenian earthquake. Remembrance Day is marked with wreath-laying ceremonies and special church services.

The Spitak earthquake occurred on December 7, 1988, in the northern region of Armenia. It measured 6.8 on the surface wave magnitude scale. Some of the strongest shakings occurred in industrial areas with power plants, electrical substations, chemical, and food processing plants.

The cities of Spitak, Gyumri, and Vanadzor were affected the most. Many buildings (were destroyed. Most hospitals in the region collapsed, killing about 75 % of the medical personnel and destroying medicine and equipment. The Spitak earthquake killed 25,000 to 50,000 people and 31,000 to 130,000 people were injured. The city of Spitak was almost entirely destroyed during the earthquake.

The stamp was issued on 7th December 2018 as a tribute to the 30th Anniversary of this tragic event. Designed by Vaughan Mkrtchyan, this stamp comes with the denomination of 230 Armenian drams. The stamp depicts a collage of the devastating scenes of the earthquake. The scenes include demolished buildings, rescue workers and the clock of Independence Square of Gyumri.

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