[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 27, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 13383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7598]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 68 / Wednesday, March 27, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 13383]]

                Proclamation 6873 of 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.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-7598
Filed 3-26-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P