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President Clinton Proclamation for Greek Independence Day (96-03-22)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release March 22, 1996
GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY: A NATIONAL DAY
OF CELEBRATION OF GREEK AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, 1996
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
While Hellenic literature, art, architecture, and
philosophy have profoundly influenced western civilization for
over 2,000 years, democracy remains the most precious gift to
our world from the Greeks of ancient times. This manner of
government, placing authority directly into the hands of the
people, has long fulfilled the needs and aspirations of
freedom-loving nations around the world. Our founders chose to
adopt the democratic system when declaring America's liberty,
just as the Greek Constitution enshrines democracy as the
governing rule of the Hellenic Republic.
It is one of history's great ironies that Greece, the
birthplace of democracy, was subject for centuries to foreign
domination, culminating in almost four hundred years of
political suppression by the Ottoman Empire. The Greeks'
age-old love of liberty remained strong, however, and in 1821,
Greece began its successful struggle for self-determination.
Today, as we commemorate the one hundred and seventy-fifth
anniversary of Greek independence, the citizens of Greece and
the United States remember that with democracy come great
responsibilities -- to seek peaceful solutions to civil
differences, to foster freedom and human rights in all
nations, and to ensure that our laws continue to build upon our
strong democratic foundation.
Standing shoulder to shoulder, Americans and Greeks fought
for these principles on the battlefields of World War II and
through the dark days of the Cold War. Today, while we
celebrate Greek independence, we also remember all those around
the world who still endure oppression and are denied economic,
social, or political freedom. In recent years we have seen many
nations break the bonds of tyranny, and we must continue to
support others who seek to embrace democracy's promise. In
doing so, we look forward to a day when people everywhere enjoy
the rights and liberties that Greeks and Americans are so proud
to share.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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, 1996, as Greek Independence Day: A National
Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon
all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies,
activities, and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-six, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twentieth.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
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