Marching to the Beat
Parades Honor Greek Independence Day, Hellenic Heritage

By George Chiagouris

CHICAGO, IL - March 25 is considered the birthday of modern Hellas, much the same way that July 4 is considered the birthday of the United States of America. On that day in 1821, modern Hellenes initiated their independence from the Ottoman Empire. During the revolution, numerous individuals sacrificed their lives, fortunes and families to achieve independence for their country. Today, we endeavor to recognize and pay tribute to those heroes who gave so much of themselves in order for Hellas to emerge from Turkish rule through annual Greek Independence Day parades. We also pay tribute to the intellectual contributions of all those ancient Hellenes who inspired both American and Greek revolutionists, helping create democratic rule, which was eventually adopted by many other countries. The democratic rule, plus developments in science, mathematics, art, theater, architecture, philosophy, athletics and many other areas formulated by the ancient Greeks, eventually became what is called “The Foundation of Western Civilization.”

The Organizers
The first Greek Independence Day parade in Chicago took place in 1965. For many years the event was organized by the United Hellenic American Congten years, the annual parade has been organized by ENOSIS, a federation of Hellenic American organizations in the Chicago area. ENOSIS is currently under the leadership of its President Demetrios Georgakopoulos (also the 2008 parade chairman) and is run by a twenty-member board. Though the organization’s main objective is to coordinate the annual Greek Independence Day parade, ENOSIS hopes to expand on that and help preserve Hellenism by giving lectures and supporting other Greek organizations. This year’s Greek parade will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, down Halsted Street in Greektown. Although each city may host different types of Greek Independence Day parades (see accompanying article "Parades Across America"), the mission behind each of these celebrations is the same.

First and foremost it is a religious holiday: March 25 is the Annunciation of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. According to the Bible, on that day the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she will be with child, even though she was a virgin. His name would be Jesus. Laterress, or UHAC. But for almost on, Jesus became known by the Greek name of Christos, or Christ, and thus the Hellenized name of Christianity. It is also a birthday celebration. For Greeks, March 25, 1821, is the day the Greek Revolution started against the Ottoman Empire that brutally controlled the country for 370 years. In addition, it is a memorial day. Greeks commemorate the memory of all those heroes that fought and gave their lives during the revolution against the Turks in 1821 as well as during the wars of 1915 and 1940. Last, but not least, it is a remembrance to our Hellenic heritage. During the parade festivities, we try to remember the Hellenic heritage that our ancient Greek ancestors gave to us and to the rest of the world more than 2,500 years ago. As Hellenes and Philhellenes, we should never forget the achievements of the heroic Greeks of 1821, nor the intellectual contributions of the Greeks that lived so long ago. As modern Hellenes, it is our duty and responsibility to do our best to preserve, promote and perpetuate the ideals of Hellenism. Parades help us accomplish those missions.

Posted March 24, 2008.