[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9580 of March 24, 2017

Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and

American Democracy, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

This year marks the 196th anniversary of Greek independence. Greek and
American democracy are forever intertwined. American patriots built our
Republic on the ancient Greeks' groundbreaking idea that the people
should decide their political fates.
As a young Nation, only recently free from Great Britain and securing
its place on the world stage, America served as a source of inspiration
for the revolutionary and freedom-loving Greeks who sought their own
independence. Indeed, American citizens stood united with the people of
Greece in its ``glorious cause'' of democracy and freedom, as expressed
by Philadelphia's Franklin Gazette at the time.

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The ideas and ideals of the ancient Greeks altered the course of human
history, from our own American Republic to the modern Greek state and
many other nations. All those who believe in the refrain ``liberty and
justice for all,'' and who are devoted to democracy and rule of law, owe
a debt of gratitude to Greece and the foundational principles that took
root in the ancient city-state of Athens.
On this Greek Independence Day, we express our deep gratitude for
Greece's enduring friendship in a region that has experienced great
uncertainty. Greece is an important partner in our engagements
throughout the international sphere. We look forward to strengthening
our excellent bilateral defense relationship, and recognize the value
and importance Greece's role as a strong ally in the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization.
The American people join Greece in celebrating another milestone in its
independent history, and we look forward to a future of shared success
as partners and allies.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2017, as
Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and
American Democracy. I call upon the people of the United States to
observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day
of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.
DONALD J. TRUMP