President Biden: Happy 200th Greek Independence Day!

President Biden on Greek Independence day

Standing next to a Greek flag, US President Joe Biden sent a video message for Greek Independence Day today.

“For 200 years our nations’ fates have been intertwined. Young people from the newly formed United States joined Greeks in their fight to defend democracy and individual freedom,” Biden says.

“When Axis powers marched in Europe at the Second World War II, the Greeks bravely said ‘No’ and joined us in the fight for universal rights.”

“Throughout our shared history, our close ties, family and culture, economic and defense cooperation binds us together. But what really binds us together are values,” the US President stressed.

“The relationship between my Administration and Greece will be closer than it has ever been.”

Biden issues Greek Independence Day proclamation

Earlier, the Biden White House issued a Greek Independence Day proclamation ahead of March 25th, the date that marking Greece’s Bicentennial.

For the 46th President it might have been his first time issuing an official Greek Independence Proclamation; however, it wasn’t the first time to show his admiration for Greece and its people.

See the full White house Greek Independence Day proclamation below:

Exactly 200 years ago, inspired by the same ideals of liberty, self-governance, and passionate belief in democracy that sparked the American Revolution, the people of Greece declared their independence. Today, the people of the United States join the Greek people in commemorating the creation of the modern Greek state — and celebrating two centuries of enduring friendship between our nations.

On Greek Independence Day, we celebrate the history and values that unite the United States of America and the Hellenic Republic. Our Founding Fathers drew inspiration from ancient Greece’s example as they framed our Constitution and formed the world’s first modern democracy. A few decades later, American Philhellenes championed Greece’s quest for independence, forging a close connection between our peoples that has flourished over the ensuing years.

During the course of my career, I have had the privilege to work closely with many Greek Prime Ministers. I have been blessed by lifelong friendships in the Greek-American community, including with a great leader whom we recently lost, Senator Paul Sarbanes. From a young age, I have admired the courage, decency, and honor that defines the Greek community — the unwillingness to bend or bow in the face of injustice, or to accept abuses of power.

Today, Greece is a crucial NATO ally and friend of the United States, and a leader for peace and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Western Balkans regions. The United States welcomes Greece’s commitment to hosting the United States Naval Support Activity at Souda Bay, Crete, and United States rotational forces elsewhere in Greece. Through our ongoing Strategic Dialogue, we have advanced our relationship in nearly every respect. We have accelerated progress on making the region a safer place, and we have increased trade and investment that brings jobs and prosperity to the people of our nations and to the world.

Our strong and historic relationship continues to grow in depth and breadth. We have diversified the region’s energy sources, enhanced educational and cultural exchanges, partnered on counterterrorism, and reconfirmed our commitment to the rule of law. As we honor our shared history and accomplishments, we believe the common values that have guided our societies for 200 years will help us accomplish even more together in the years to come.

This bicentennial reminds Americans and Greeks alike of the enduring strength of the principles that sparked our respective revolutions and the values that uphold our democracies. We congratulate Hellenic-American organizations, the estimated three million Americans of Greek descent, and the Greek people on a year of commemorations and events celebrating this historic milestone in both the United States and Greece. Together, we will continue to lift high the lamp of democracy, whatever challenges come our way.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2021, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, and I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also issued a special statement on the occasion of the Greek Bicentennial of the War of Independence today. The statement reads as follows:

Greece National Day

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

“On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I warmly congratulate the Greek people on the historic bicentennial of their independence. This special year is an occasion to honor our shared commitment to democracy and to celebrate 200 years of friendship between the peoples of the United States and Greece. From the start, our two revolutions were intertwined: America’s founders took inspiration from Athenian democracy, and 45 years after our independence, Philhellenes left home to aid Greek patriots in their cause of self-determination.

“Today, our shared history continues to bring us together, and the U.S.-Greece relationship is stronger than ever. Greece is a crucial Ally of the United States and leader in efforts to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Western Balkans regions. Together, we are working to keep our Transatlantic Alliance strong and vibrant by enhancing our defense and security cooperation, countering climate change, creating new trade and investment opportunities, expanding technology partnerships, and strengthening our educational and cultural ties.

“As both of our countries emerge from the tragedies of the pandemic, I look forward to further strengthening and deepening our Alliance in this Greek bicentennial year. On this 200th anniversary of your independence, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Greece, acknowledging all we have accomplished in the past and welcoming the bright future ahead.

Past White House Greek Independence Events

It is customary every year for the White House and the President to celebrate Greek Independence every year with special events. You can watch below Presidents Trump and Obama on previous Greek Independence Day events.