White House celebrates Greek Independence Day

April 5, 2024
Written by E.Tsiliopoulos

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White House celebrates Greek Independence Day

The annual Greek Independence Day reception was held at the White House on Thursday. This is a special honour given by the US government to Greece, as the Greek-American and Irish communities are the only national groups in the US to celebrate their national anniversary at the White House every year. This particular event, in addition to its strong communicative character, offers a first-class opportunity to the Greek-American community to convey messages to the US political leadership.

US President Joe Biden had a private meeting with Archbishop of America Elpidophoros, the Greek ambassador to the USA, Katerina Nasika, as well as other leading members of the Greek-American community.

Also present at the event were the lieutenant governor of California, Eleni Kounalakis, the ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the USA, Evangelos Savvas, the ambassador of the United States to Greece, George Tsunis, US congressman Doug Lamborn, state congressman Spyros Matzavinos, and Joe Biden's sister, Valerie Biden.

In the proclamation for the 203rd anniversary of Greek Independence, President Joe Biden referred at length to US-Greek relations, as well as to the timeless ideals of the Greek Revolution that inspired the fathers of American democracy.

The US President referred to the lifelong friendships he has formed with many Greek expatriates. In particular, he focused on the first and difficult years of his political career, when the Greek community had helped him win his first electoral contest in Delaware.