Independence Day
March 25
Liberty – or death!
Today, Greece is a free country. But for hundreds of years, the Greeks
suffered under the rule of Turkey.
Then, on March 25, 1821, a group of Greek leaders met in a church. They
took a vow— liberty or death! At the same time, another group issued a
declaration of independence. Finally, in 1829, after eight long years of
war, the Greeks won their freedom from Turkey and became an independent
nation.
In Athens, the capital of Greece, there is a big military parade on
March 25 to celebrate Independence Day. Among the marchers are the
world-famous evzones [(ehv]{.smallcaps} zohns).
The evzones are special and very colorful Greek soldiers. Evzones wear a
red cap with a black tassel, a colored vest over a white shirt, a white
pleated skirt over white tights, and red shoes with a black pompon at
the toe.
All about, whipping in the breeze, are Greek flags. The Greek flag has a
white cross on a sky- blue field. The cross stands for the Greek
Orthodox Church—the religion followed by most of the people in Greece.
In Greece, the church and the state are very close. This is especially
true on March 25.
In the religious calendar, March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation.
Annunciation (uh nuhn see AY shun) means “to tell” or “to make an
announcement.” According to Christian belief, this is the date on which
the Angel
Pleat-skirted evzones are a major attraction in the Independence Day
parade in Athens. Originally chosen as a royal guard, this unit of the
Greek Army performs many special tasks, such as standing guard at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that she was to be the mother of Jesus
Christ.
So, in Greece, March 25 is doubly important. It is both a national
holiday and a religious feast day.
