THE ARMENIANS OF CYPRUS 31 15 January 1956 Bishop Ghevont Chebeyan unveils the marble Mausoleum of the Melkonian Brothers. 5 August 1960 BergeTilbian is voted Armenian Representative at the Greek Communal Chamber, securing 60,49%of the votes. 16 August 1960 Cyprus gains its Independence; Armenians are recognised as a religious group by the Constitution. 13 November 1960 Armenians opt in the referendum to belong to the Greek-Cypriot community. 21 December 1963- Intercommunal troubles; extremist Turkish-Cypriots take over the Armenian quarter of Nicosia and the Virgin 26 March 1964 Mary of Ganchvor church in Famagusta. 19 July 1970 Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian is elected Armenian Representative, securing 56,30% of the votes. 12 November 1972 Archbishop Makarios III and Catholicos Khoren I inaugurate the new Nareg School in Nicosia. 24 April 1975 House of Representatives adopts Resolution recognising the Armenian Genocide. 25 September 1976 ArchbishopMakarios III and BishopNerses Pakhdigian lay the foundation stone for the newVirginMary cathedral in Nicosia. 3 October 1976 Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian is re-elected Armenian Representative, securing 50,96% of the votes. 10 December 1979 Strovolos Improvement Board re-names Cyclops street into Armenia street. The street sign is officially placed on 15 January 1980. 8 May 1981 AGBU President Alec Manougian unveils the twin monument for the Armenian Alphabet and Mother Armenia at the Melkonian. 22 November 1981 Catholicos Khoren I andCo-adjutor Catholicos Karekin II inaugurate and consecrate the newVirginMary cathedral in Nicosia. 14 March 1982 Aram Kalaydjian is elected Armenian Representative, securing 58,36% of the votes. 4 March 1984 Catholicos Karekin II inaugurates the new Prelature building. 13 July 1986 Aram Kalaydjian is re-elected Armenian Representative, securing 65,08% of the votes. 24 May 1987 President Spyros Kyprianou lays the foundation stone for the new boarding section of the Melkonian. 30 May 1987 President Spyros Kyprianou inaugurates the new AYMA club. 6 March 1988 Minister of Interior Christodoulos Veniamin inaugurates the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly. 21 October 1989 Acting President Vassos Lyssarides inaugurates the new boarding section of the Melkonian. 22 October 1989 AGBU President Alec Manougian inaugurates the new Nicosia AGBU club. 19 April 1990 The House of Representatives recognises 24 April as National Remembrance Day for the Armenian Genocide. 24 March 1991 Representative Aram Kalaydjian unveils the sandstone statue of Saint Gregory of Nareg in Nicosia. 24 April 1991 Official unveiling of the Armenian Genocide Monument in Nicosia. 19 May 1991 Aram Kalaydjian is re-elected Armenian Representative, securing 67,00% of the votes. 22 October 1995 Bedros Kalaydjian is elected Armenian Representative in a by-election, securing 60,34% of the votes. 18 May 1996 President Glafcos Clerides inaugurates the new Nareg School in Larnaka. 26 May 1996 Bedros Kalaydjian is re-elected Armenian Representative, securing 73,91% of the votes. 16 February 1997 Catholicos Aram I consecrates the Holy Saviour of All chapel in Nicosia. 3 February 1999 Catholicos Aram I inaugurates the“VahramUtidjian”Hall. 23 March 2001 Aglandjia Municipality re-names Ephesus street to Melkonian street. The street sign is officially unveiled on 7 April 2001, by Mayor Andreas Petrou.