Original: History Construction of the memorial began in 1966 ( during Soviet times ) in response to the 1965 Yerevan demonstrations during which one million people demonstrated in Yerevan for 24 hours to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Genocide .
Simplified: In 1965 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Genocide after a million people demonstrated for 24 hours ; the demonstrations are now known as the 1965 Yerevan Demonstrations .