| The 1821 Greek Revolution: A catalyst for Greek American friendship Good afternoon, ladies and Gentlemen, And welcome to the 179th anniversary celebration of Greek Independence Day. It is indeed so appropriate once again to celebrate this anniversary in this beautiful and very historic chamber, and we extend our thanks to Governor Cellucci, the legislative body and especially the Greek-American legislators for making this event possible. I am not going to talk today about the details of the Greek Revolution. You all know what happened and how it happened. Rather, I will center my speech to the historic role that the Greek War of Independence played, in fostering the long lasting friendship between the people of Greece and America. As you know, Massachusetts is the birthplace of the 1776 American Revolution, a revolution that started 45 years prior to the 1821 Greek Revolution for Independence. Yet, both Revolutions have so much in common and both had a profound impact of global proportions and historical importance, in that they inspired so many other nations to fight for freedom and democracy, for human rights and for the pursuit of happiness. The 1776 American Revolution, was an inspiration to the then enslaved Greeks and a number of them actually traveled to the United States and took up arms to fight for its Independence! The most famous Greek who sailed to the United States to fight for American Independence was Demetrios Ypsilanti. Although he eventually returned to Greece, in 1833 a town near Detroit, Michigan, was named Ypsilanti in honor of this Greek freedom fighter. This was to be the beginning of a long lasting friendship between the United States and Greece – a friendship that originated from the battlefields of two great Revolutions, whose common motto was “Freedom or Death”. This is why, when the bell of revolution rung in Greece in 1821, it was here in Boston that a number of local philhellenes started a lobbying campaign for the support of the Greek War of Independence -- a campaign that captured the imagination of many influential political and civil leaders in America. These philhellenes made significant contributions in supporting the fledging Greek Revolution. And it was here, on Beacon Hill, that the first Greek Consulate in the United States was established, shortly after the modern Greek State was founded. It is important to remember that Presidents Jefferson, Monroe, John Adams, Madison, and John Quincy Adams took very positive and supportive positions for the Greek Revolution, during and after their terms in office. Great American statesmen, such as Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Sam Houston and Edward Everett, made strong public pronouncements for the recognition of the Revolution and for sending military aid to Greece. But it was the personal involvement of simple American civilian philhellenes, whose personal participation in the Greek War of Independence had a profound effect in aiding the Revolution and building the bonds between our two countries. The first American to join the War as a volunteer was George Jarvis, a New Yorker, who went to Greece in 1822. He learned the Greek language, put on a “foustanella” and upon joining the “klephts” (the Greek guerilla fighters) he became known as Kapetan Zervis. He died in Argos in 1828, but his appeals back home for aid and contributions to the Greek cause, paid off. Jarvis became a role model for other American volunteers. In 1824, Captain Jonathan Miller of Vermont arrived in Greece. He too learned the Greek language, worn the foustanella and was fearless in battle. However, by far the best known philhellene is Dr. Samuel Howe, a Bostonian. Upon his arrival in Greece, he enlisted in the Greek Army and for six years he served as a soldier and a surgeon. In 1829 he established a medical center in Aegina and a school for the blind in Corinth. Long after the revolution, Howe continued to be active in Greek affairs, both in Greece and in the United States. He even participated in the Cretan revolution and in my home town of Chania, in Crete, there is a street named in his honor. The later two philhellenes, in collaboration with the Greek Relief Committees of New York, Boston and Philadelphia collected loads of food and clothing that were sent to aid the suffering populations in Greece in 1826 and 1827. The value of these goods was estimated at $100,000 an astronomical amount for that time. Many other Americans fought alongside the Greeks during the War of Independence such as James Williams, an African American from Baltimore, who traveled to Greece to fight for freedom, himself still being a slave, and William Townsend Washington, a second cousin of George Washington. These Americans helped the Greeks in their struggle to gain their freedom and independence, just as 50 years prior the Greeks had helped the Americans to gain their freedom and independence. What a story, indeed, in the history of friendship of these two great democracies. This cooperation continued in modern times. It is important to note that Greece fought alongside America in all major wars – the only country, among three others, to do so! At the dawn of the 21st Century, America has become a super-power and Greece the “economic and democratic powerhouse in the Balkans” as President Clinton declared during his recent visit to Greece. Now more than ever, Greece and America need to draw strength from the timeless bonds that developed through years of defending and protecting identical ideals and values. The spirit that developed during the Greek Revolution must be rekindled and kept alive. There are over 2.5 million Greek-Americans in the United States, who are productive and respected members of our society. They represent the best educated and the second wealthiest ethnic group in America. Americans of Greek descent are proud of their ancestry, they are very patriotic and love America for what it stands: democracy, freedom and economic opportunity. These are the same ideals and values that their ancestors fought for during the 1821 War of Independence and these are the ideals and values that they cherish and will vigorously protect here today, if need be. All of us, whether Greek-Americans, Native-Americans, Italian-Americans, Jewish-Americans, Irish-Americans or of any other ethnic group, can learn a lot from history. History teaches us to think, to evaluate by example and to avoid repeating mistakes. The Greek Revolution of Independence, just like the American Revolution, taught us that freedom is earned with sacrifice and it takes sacrifice to keep being free. It also taught us not to take liberty for granted, but to keep fighting for liberty. I do hope that this sort of celebrations, will give all of us the opportunity to understand each other better, to respect each other’s needs and to discover the common bonds that unite us. Let’s all here today cease every opportunity to promote friendship, cultural understanding and economic cooperation among Greece and the United States of America. Let the spirit of 1821 continue to inspire our thoughts and our actions and together let us proclaim that liberty, democracy and freedom are the greatest gifts that we have received and hence these are indeed the greatest gifts that we can pass on to our children and grandchildren. Long live the United States of America! Zito e Ellas! Zito e 25 Martiou! |