On March 17, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia was filled with Greek flags, bands, floats and people celebrating Greece’s succesful War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. 192 years ago, on March 25th, 1821, the Greek rebel forces raised the flag of the cross and declared Greece free from 400 years of Ottoman rule.
The Master of Ceremonies for this special marchpast was Theodore Spyropoulos, regional coordinator and alternative President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (S.A.E.). Spyropoulos stressed the need for Greek tradition to be reborn all around the world.
The Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, expressed his happiness that his city, as its name implies, is fraternally connected with the Greeks. A central point of the parade was the march of the Cyprus Society of Greater Philadelphia, Makarios III.
As John Grossomanides, Supreme President of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), told the National Herald, “AHEPA was founded to help Greek immigrants integrate in the American society. But we are here to hellenize Americans and every time we celebrate the 25th of March, there is a chance of promoting Greek civilization and declaring that the Greek Spirit is immortal”.
Most of the Greek afternoon schools from Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware participated in the parade and the children were dressed in authentic Greek costumes.
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