The First Republic’s mission to the United States, 1919

In 1919 an official delegation of the government of the First Republic of Armenia travelled to the United States at a grave moment, when newly independent Armenia was filled with hundreds of thousands of refugees and stood on the brink of famine. Thanks to diplomatic efforts, the delegation managed to solve the food problem: about 1.3 million sacks of flour, large quantities of grain and canned food were sent from the United States to Armenia. According to the source, this aid saved thousands of lives and became one of the most important factors in the survival of the First Republic.

The photograph shows ten men, five seated and five standing. Five of them are in military uniform, the others in civilian suits.