MOMENT IN TIME-Greek Independence Day

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Robert Richardson

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TOPSHOT – A boy holds a Greek flag on March 25, 2016 in central Athens during the anniversary of the Greek Independence Day. / AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINISARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
TOPSHOT – A boy holds a Greek flag on March 25, 2016 in central Athens during the anniversary of the Greek Independence Day. / AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINISARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images 
Greek civilization dates back to ancient times, but the country of Greece has existed less than two centuries. It won its liberty from the Ottoman Empire in a 12-year war that lifted a nearly 400-year occupation. Greeks celebrate their Independence Day on March 25 in remembrance of an 1821 event that is traditionally believed to have set off the revolution. The story goes that on this date, a bishop named Georgios Yermanos raised the revolutionary flag at a gathering of 5,000 at the Ayian Lavra monastery near Kalavryta. Yermanos blessed the crowd and proclaimed they would conquer or die. However, historians dispute aspects of this event, including whether it happened at all. Clashes did begin in March of 1821, as Greek militias in four towns wrested their own patch of sovereignty from the Sultan. Atrocities ensued on both sides, with towns besieged, island populations slaughtered, scattered or enslaved, and fire ships ravaging vessels full of sailors. In 1827, when the Turks had retaken Athens and the Greek cause appeared lost, a surge in military help from Russian, British and French powers turned the tide. Greece was the first nation to carve itself out of the Ottoman Empire – but not the last. – Joy Yokoyama

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