YEREVAN CHRONOLOGY
1921
The National Gallery of Armenia was founded in 1921 by the decision of the Government of Soviet Armenia, as one of the five departments of the State Museum - the Art Department. Martiros Saryan was appointed the director of the museum. As the first state museum of Armenia, it was officially opened to visitors on August 14, 1921.
OTHER
1603
The Safavid army then laid siege to Yerevan on 15 November. The Persian army of Shah Abbas I conquered the Yerevan fortress after 9 months of siege, whereas the other towns of the Eastern Caucasus surrendered to the Shah with practically no resistance. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians, including residents of Yerevan, were taken captive and sent to Persia.