BRIEF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE AFFECTS
OF THE GREEK REVOLUTION OF 1821 IN AMERICA
In America, from its founding there was an Emergence of Hellenism, Classical Education not only of American men but also women. The popular use of the classics in the post American Revolutionary period cut across class lines in towns and cities with many of them adopting Hellenic classical names. It showed distinctly in the New American National Capital - Washington, DC - in its architecture, concepts of law and democracy, and in its Capitol Building with its famous frescos by historical painter Constantinos Broumidis in his Apotheosis of Washington adorning the underside of the dome in its rotunda.
American Philhellenism by 1821, when the Hellenic Revolution broke out for freedom from the Ottoman Empire after about 400 years of occupation and slavery, caught America by storm. In American history, it was referred to as the Greek Fever. It was influenced and inspired in part by America's contact with the Ottoman Empire and the Barbary States but also from American missionary and commercial interests that led to its first military conflicts abroad relating to the Barbary Wars, America's first wars. Americans also knew the Hellenes as slaves in the East, and also as fellow warriors in America's first battle and victory on foreign soil in the Battle of Derna in 1805. U.S. Marines and the Greek mercenaries who supported them inspired the U.S. Marines' Hymn line " To the shores of Tripoli.." relating to that battle.
When the Hellenic Revolution broke out, and through the effort of many, Greek Committees throughout the United States were formed rapidly to support the relief effort financially and in some cases Americans went to Greece to fight. They included for example George Jarvis, a New Yorker, Captain Jonathan P. Miller, of Vermont, Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe of Massachusetts who became the Chief Surgeon of the Hellenic Navy, George Wilson of Providence, Rhode Island, James Williams, an African American from Baltimore who joined the Greek Navy, and others. The Greek Revolution was inspired in many ways by the American Revolution of 1776 before it and also affected America as a consequence in many ways. Many who fought in Greece and others, men and women, who were members of the Greek Committees in the U.S., as well as Greeks including war orphans of the revolution who came to the U.S. became and were serious abolitionists in America and significant opponents of American slavery. The Greek Revolution not only affected the early and subsequent American Abolitionist movement but through it also the American Women’s Suffrage Movement which followed it.
Join us as we sail to the very important landmark symbol of liberty - the American Statue of Liberty - that binds all of us together as the Bicentennial of the Greek Revolution Revolution is not only about Greek history but American history and the history of all those as inscribed in the Statue of Liberty "..yearning to breathe free".
"Sail to Freedom NYC” is organized by a team of international professionals with the support of the Hellenic organizations and diaspora community of the greater New York City area. The distinguished committee of Greek and Greek-American leadership supporting the event includes:
John A. Catsimatidis
Honorary Chairman
Dr. Panagiota Andreopoulou, Vice President
World Hellenic Biomedical Association – NYC
Nicholas Bardis, President
Ionian Cultural Federation NYC
Markos L. Drakotos, Esq. President
Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce
Costis J. Frangoulis, President
Board of Governors – International Propeller Club of U.S.
Andrew Heretakis, President
Sons of Pericles New Renaissance Chapter # 5, Manhattan, NYC
Demetris Kafchitsas, President
Pan-Gregorian Enterprises of Metro NY & LI
Louis Katsos
AHEPA District 6 Governor & President of EMBCA
Theodore P. Klingos, President
AHEPA Delphi Chapter # 25 , Manhattan, NYC
Dr. Panagiotis Manolas, President
Hellenic Medical Society of New York
Elsa Jonsson-Matsikoudis, President
Daughters of Penelope, Evryklea Chapter # 36, Manhattan, NYC
Paul Pavlakos, Esq. President , Greece 200
Dr. Marinos Petratos, Chairman, Board of Governors
AHEPA Delphi Chapter # 25 , Manhattan, NYC
Admiral Vassilis Politis, Member of Board of Directors of Yacht Club Of Hellas
Dr. Sotirios G. Stergiopoulos, Vice President
AHEPA Delphi Chapter # 25 , Manhattan, NYC
Michael Tiliakos, President
Hellenic Lawyers Association of New York
George Zapantis, Vice President
Hellenic Lawyers Association of New York
To learn more about this event and the organizing team, watch congratulatory messages from Greek government officials and celebrities, discover ways to participate, and read about the Bicentennial of Greek Independence visit:
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