Greek Independence Day

March 25, 1821 is the most significant date in modern Greek history.It was on this day in 1821 that the uprising began, which led to the liberation of the country from the four-century Ottoman yoke.

From the mid-14th century, Greece was conquered in parts by Turkish armies. At the end of the 14th century, the Turks conquered Macedonia, Thessaly, and part of Central Greece. After the occupation of Constantinople (1453), the Turkish troops by 1466 captured almost the entire continental part of the country. The Turkish conquerors established a military-feudal regime in Greece. Although the Turks gave the Greeks freedom of religion, the Greeks fought for their liberation.

The first major uprising of the Greek people against Turkish oppression occurred in 1770 during the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774 and was associated with the appearance in the Aegean Sea of a Russian squadron under the command of Admiral G.A. Spiridov and A. Orlov. But this rebellion was brutally suppressed.

The national revival of Greece began in Ukraine. It was there, in the southern Russian ports - Odessa, Taganrog, Kherson - since the end of the 18th century. lived a significant number of Greeks. In 1814, the secret revolutionary Greek organization Filiki Eteria (Friendly Society) was founded in Odessa. There were branches in almost all the major cities of Greece and in the Mediterranean Greek colonies. One of the leaders of "Filiki Eteria" were brothers Ipsilanti - Alexander and Dimitros - both officers of the Russian service, close to the court of Alexander I.

In early March 1821, A. Ipsilanti, at the head of an armed detachment of heterists, crossed the Prut River and raised an uprising in Moldavia. However, it was soon suppressed. The appearance of Ypsilanti in the Danube principalities and in Moray was seen as a signal for a mass uprising that began on March 25, 1821. This day was later celebrated as Greek Independence Day.

For the people of Greece and the Greek Diaspora, March 25, 1821 is the most significant date in modern Greek history. On its Independence Day, Greece honors its heroic past and calls for a free and happy future.

On Independence Day, otherwise called National Revival Day, processions and festive celebrations, concerts and exhibitions are held throughout Greece.