BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
March 24, 2022
In forming a government that reflected the emerging spirit of America and united our young nation around the fundamental principles of liberty, justice, and the rule of law, our founders looked to the birthplace of democracy: Greece. Decades after the American Revolution, the Greek people came together to courageously affirm their commitment to democracy and declare their own independence from the Ottoman Empire. Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of Greek independence, we honor the deep and historic ties between our two countries – forged in the struggle for freedom and self-governance – and the many contributions of the Hellenic Republic modern that promote international peace and stability and support our shared values.
The Greek Bicentennial in 2021 was a year of celebration for Greece, for the Greek-American community, and for the strong bilateral relations between our two nations. The seeds of friendship sown long ago continue to bear fruit for our two peoples, as Greece and the United States come together to defend democracy around the world. A crucial ally in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Greece promotes peace and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Western Balkans regions, and the United States is grateful for it. Greece’s continued hospitality to the United States Naval Support Activity in Souda Bay, Crete.
Greece and the United States come together to tackle the challenges of our time, from confronting the climate crisis to diversifying the region’s energy resources to proving that democracies are up to the task of our people and to fight against the growing threat of authoritarianism. Through our ongoing strategic dialogue, Greece and the United States have strengthened cooperation on a range of critical issues, and last year’s update of our Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement will strengthen our cooperation on defense and security for years to come.
The deep political and historical ties that unite Greece and the United States are further strengthened by strong, loving family ties and the estimated 3 million Greek Americans across our nation. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the courage and determination of the Greek-American community, and these qualities have been an invaluable source of strength for our nation over the past year. Greek-Americans have been at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and our efforts to vaccinate the world. And last November, as Greek Americans proudly celebrated the construction of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in Manhattan, 20 years after the original church structure was destroyed in terrorist attacks of September 11, they embodied our shared values of perseverance, resilience, and hope for the future.
As Greece and the United States look forward to what the next 200 years of partnership will bring, I am confident that our nations and people will meet any challenges together. On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to continue the hard work ahead of us, to strengthen our democracies and to reaffirm our unfailing friendship.
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 laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25 2022 as being Greek. Independence Day: a national day celebrating Greek and American democracy. I call on the people of the United States to celebrate 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 and twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth .
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
