[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]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 68 / Wednesday, March 27, 1996 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
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
