(AINA) -- Assyrians throughout the world commemorated Assyrian Martyrs Day yesterday, August 7, remembering their martyrs from the past and the new ones from the present, as the Islamic State (ISIS) has driven 200,000 Assyrians from their towns and villages in the Nineveh Plain in north Iraq (2014-08-07). ISIS has destroyed all 45 churches in Mosul since entering the city on June 10, killed at least 5 Assyrians, killed and persecuted Yazidis, Shiites and Shabak and imposed Sharia law in all areas under its control (Timeline of ISIS in North Iraq).

The Assyrian Martyrs Day commemorates all Assyrian martyrs, from B.C. times to today, including the Turkish Genocide of Assyrians in World War One, which claimed 75% of the Assyrian population (750,000). The date was chosen because in 1933, between August 7 and 11, the Iraqi Army massacred 3,000 Assyrians in the village of Simmele and its surroundings (The 1933 Massacre of Assyrians in Simmele, Iraq).

Chicago

More than 1,400 people attended two consecutive commemorations in Chicago. At the first event, held at the Assyrian Memorial Park, nearly 300 people attended. The ceremony began with the the singing of American and Assyrian national anthems, followed by laying of wreaths, speeches and poetry readings, culminating with the lighting of candles.

At the second event, held at the Skokie Public Library, more than 1,100 people attended a candle light vigil, with speeches, poetry and singing by the combined choirs of all Assyrian church denominations.

In both events Assyrians wore shirts emblazoned with the Arabic letter "noon", which stands for the Arabic word Nasrani, a derogatory word meaning Christian. ISIS marked all homes of Assyrians in Mosul with this letter and declared them the property of the Islamic State (2014-07-19).

Event at Assyrian Memorial Park, Chicago

Candle Light Vigil at Skokie Public Library (suburb of Chicago)

Commemoration in San Jose, California

Commemoration in Los Angeles, California

Commemoration in Yerevan, Armenia