Ελληνική Επανάσταση [e-lee-nee-KEE e-pa-NA-sta-see] (the Greek Revolution)
Greece celebrates its Independence Day on March 25th. This day commemorates the Greek War of Independence, which was fought against the Ottoman Empire from 1821 to 1832. Greece had been under Ottoman rule since 1453 following the fall of the Byzantine Empire. Greeks suffered a great deal during those years and there were numerous attempts in raising the resistance. In 1814, Φιλική Εταιρεία [fee-lee-KEE e-te-REE-a] (Society of Friends) was founded with one goal: to liberate Greece. A series of revolutionary events led to the declaration of war on March 17th, 1821 by Μανιάτες [ma-NIA-tes] (people of the Mani Peninsula), in Southern Peloponnese, against the Ottomans.
This was the beginning of the end for the Turks: within a month all of Peloponnese was in revolt and by October of the same year the Greeks reclaimed Τρίπολη [TREE-po-lee] (a city in the mid-Peloponnese) under the orders of the great General, Theodoro Kolokotroni. Soon, the revolts spread to Crete, Central Greece and Macedonia. At the same time, the Greek navy was winning at sea!
Both Greece and the Ottoman Empire received help from their respective allies. The three Great Powers, Russia-Britain-France, assisted Greece while the Turks received help from Egypt. Greece was finally recognized as an independent nation in May 1832 after a series of battles and negotiations.
The holiday is celebrated on March 25th, but the revolution actually started a few days earlier. King Othonas selected that day to celebrate of the anniversary of the national uprising on March 15, 1838 in order for it to fall on the same day as the ecclesiastical event of the Annunciation: the Christian holiday celebrating the announcement by the angel Gabriel that she would become the mother of Jesus.
Today, the Greek Revolution of 1821 is celebrated in Greece, Cyprus and among the Greek diaspora on March 25th as a public holiday. Celebrations include parades and other festivities on the same day or the day before. The main event is the military parade in Athens on March 25th in front of the Parliament, while the day before, on March 24th, student parades take place all over Greece.
The Greek Navy during the military parade
Student Parade in Athens
