MONTREAL - Every year Armenians and those of Armenian descent around the world use April 24 to mark the anniversary of a genocide.

On this day in 1915 the Ottoman Empire, now known as Turkey, arrested hundreds of intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople.

Soon after more than one million Armenians had perished, either because of executions, or deaths during forced marches.

Mheir Karakachian is a history teacher and vice-president of the Armenian National Committee of Canada.

"Today 20 states have recognized the Armenian genocide," said Karakachian.

"It's not the recognition of the state that matters. We're working everywhere. We have advocacy groups."

For the full interview, click the video player to the right.