In the year 1821, on March 25th, the Greek Revolutionary Forces made a significant declaration that Greece would finally be free from the oppressive rule of the Ottoman Empire. For over 400 years, the Greek people had suffered immensely under the brutal conquerors, enduring pain and agony. However, the gallant patriots of 1821 raised their flag with the cross and took inspiration from the classical Hellenic standards of Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis, proving to the world that courage was indeed a Greek invention. Their motto was “VICTORY or DEATH,” and they lived it to the fullest.

Greece’s significance as the mother country of freedom, knowledge, and Western culture, and democracy cannot be overstated. Every person in the Western world is her child, regardless of their national origin. The Greek War of Independence was a defining moment in history, as it restored freedom and eventual democracy to the place that gave birth to these concepts. The occasion was momentous and inspired many Americans to contribute their actions and voices to the Greek cause.

The Greek-Americans will never forget the names of those who so gallantly championed the cause of Greek freedom in the halls of Congress. Among them were President James Monroe, President John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and Edward Everett, who played a significant role in supporting the Greek War of Independence. These individuals, along with countless others, recognized the importance of the Greek struggle for freedom and democracy and lent their voices to the cause.

Battle scene from the Greek War of Independence by Georg Perlberg