[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 12 (Monday, March 25, 1996)]
[Pages 543-544]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6873--Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration 
of Greek and American Democracy, 1996

March 22, 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 remain 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.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., March 26, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
March 27.

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