Legislation Document

WHEREAS, on March 25, 1821, revolutionaries throughout Greece rose up for the cause of freedom and declared

their independence from the Ottoman Empire; and

WHEREAS, in March 1821, the yearning for Greek independence inspired multiple militias to engage in battles

against the Ottoman Empire including an incursion into Moldavia led by Alexandros Ypsilantis; Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in the Peloponnese, marking the beginning of the war for independence; and

WHEREAS, in January 1822, the Greeks officially declared independence from the Ottoman Empire; and the

Greeks valiantly waged war against their Ottoman rulers under the brave leadership of Theodoros Kolokotronis for almost nine years until a part of modern Greece was declared independent; the war of independence was formally concluded in 1832 with the signing of the Treaty of Constantinople, further expanding the borders of a modern, independent Greek state; and

WHEREAS, today, 204 years later from the start of the Greek struggle for independence, we honor the legacy of

these courageous Greek women and men and rededicate ourselves to the cause of liberty and democracy for all; and

WHEREAS, throughout history, the Greek people have continued to exhibit an enduring sense of bravery in rising

up against oppressors; and

WHEREAS, the people of Greece and the United States have been bound by the common belief that the power to

shape our destiny should rest in the hands of “we the people;” and

WHEREAS, Greece is one of only three nations in the world outside of the British Commonwealth that has been

allied with the United States in every major international conflict over the last 100 years; and

WHEREAS, Greece and the United States are at the forefront of the effort for freedom, democracy, peace,

stability, and human rights; and

WHEREAS, with Winston Churchill noting in a framed World War II speech that “Until now we used to say that

the Greeks fight like heroes. Now we shall say: The heroes fight like Greeks;” and

WHEREAS, ancient Greece has shaped modern society by originating concepts of logic, science, lyrics,

philosophy, and history as well as being the birthplace of democratic ideals, inspiring the notion of participatory democracy which influenced the framing of the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, March 25th, the commemoration of the beginning of the war of independence, is celebrated as

Independence Day in Greece and in Greek communities around the world including at the parish of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Wilmington, Delaware, home to the beloved and renowned Greek Festival; and

WHEREAS, we also honor Greek-Americans in Delaware who have improved our community, shown love for

their family and friends, and shared with us their traditions to learn and celebrate the Greek culture, language, and ideals; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware General Assembly recognizes all Delawareans of Hellenic descent for their enduring

contributions to the educational, social, moral, and economic principles that are so deeply ingrained in the fabric of our country.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of

Representatives concurring therein, that March 25, 2025, will be celebrated as the 204th Anniversary of Greek Independence and that the General Assembly reaffirms Delaware’s abiding commitment to the magnificent principles of democracy and religious freedom.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Her Excellency Ekaterini Nassika, Ambassador of Greece to the United States, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, and Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Archdiocese of America.

SPONSOR:	Sen. Mantzavinos & Rep. Ortega
Sens. Cruce, Hansen, Huxtable, Pettyjohn, Seigfried, Sokola, Townsend; Reps. K. Johnson, Neal, Ross Levin, Snyder-Hall