Greek War of Independence ------------ image Delacroix ------------------- In 1821, the Greeks rose up against the Ottoman Empire which had occupied Greece for almost 400 years, leading to the war of independence. Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lavras, inciting the Peloponnese to rise against the oppressors. While the exact date probably may not have been March 25th, it is acknowledged to have occurred in late March and it was gradually associated with the religious Feast of the Annunciation. Feast of the Annunciation On this day in the Orthodox calendar, the archangel Gabriel appeared to the maiden Mary and informed her that she was pregnant with the divine child. The first modern Greek state was founded in 1828 under the name "Hellenic State" and consisted of the Peloponnese and part of Central Greece. The first governor was John Kapodistrias who founded schools and orphanages and helped make great advances in the development of the Greek economy and education. Kapodistrias is still honoured in Greece today; the Greek euro coin of 20 cents bears his face. March 25, 2021: The Day the World Turned Greek ---------------- image of SanFrancisco -------------------- The San Franscisco City Hall illuminated with the colors of Greece. credit: Taso Zografos Cities around the world turned Greek on March 25, 2021 to honor Greece. On the occasion of the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence from the Ottomans, which began on that day back in 1821. Embodying the Greek spirit of freedom, cities on every continent -especially where Greek Diaspora was present- donned the colors of the Greek flag — blue and white — to show their support and respect for the country on the day honoring its independence. On March 25, 1821, an outnumbered, ragtag army of Greeks yearning for freedom after nearly 400 years of brutal occupation, began the fight against the massive forces of the Ottoman Empire, making the Greek War of Independence one of the earliest national revolutions in Europe. In honor the the Greek War of Independence, which inspired many other revolutions in Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean, countries around the world celebrated the historic revolution and the Greeks’ fight for freedom. Boston lights up in blue and white for March 25th ---------------------- image of boston bridge ------------------------ Longfellow Bridge, Boston. Credit: Yorgos Efthymiadis Massachusetts, and Boston in particular, is one of the centers of the Greek Diaspora in the US, as well over 100,000 people of Greek descent live in the state. The Consul General of Greece in Boston, spearheaded efforts for the commemoration in Massachusetts and elsewhere in New England. Australia Marks Greece’s Independence Day --------- image of the Opera Australia ------------ Sydney’s iconic Opera House is illuminated in blue and white in honor of the Greek War of Independence. Credit: Papas Film Photography Numbering over 600,000 people, according to recent estimates, Greek-Australians are the seventh-largest ethnic group in Australia, adding their culture, traditions, and language to the fabric of the country. Many Greek-Australians have made a home in Sydney, Australia’s most populous city, as well, but the community in Melbourne is widely considered the most well-established in the country. The Iconic Sydney Opera House turns blue and white to honor greek national day.