Senate Resolution No. 1716
BY: Senator GIANARIS
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 2026 as Greek History Month in the State of
New York
WHEREAS, The year 2026 will mark the 205th Anniversary of Greek
Independence; and
WHEREAS, The Greek people proudly trace their heritage back
thousands of years in Europe where they developed an advanced
civilization unlike any the world had yet seen; and
WHEREAS, Upon the fall of the City of Constantinople in 1453, the
Greek people began almost four centuries under foreign rule in the
Ottoman Empire; and
WHEREAS, In March 1821, the yearning for Greek independence inspired
multiple militias to engage in battles against the Ottoman Empire,
including an incursion into Moldavia led by Alexandros Ypsilantis, and
various skirmishes in the Peloponnese and on several islands; and
WHEREAS, On March 25, 1821, Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the
Greek flag at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in the Peloponnese, marking
the beginning of the Greek War of Independence; and
WHEREAS, In January 1822, the Greeks officially declared
independence from the Ottoman Empire; and
WHEREAS, The Greeks valiantly waged war against their Ottoman
rulers, under the brave leadership of Theodoris Kolokotronis, for almost
nine years until a part of modern Greece was declared independent; and
WHEREAS, The Greek War of Independence was formally concluded in
1832 with the signing of the Treaty of Constantinople, further expanding
the borders of a modern, independent Greek State; and
WHEREAS, March 25th is celebrated as Independence Day in Greece and
in Greek communities around the world, commemorating the beginning of
the Greek War of Independence; and
WHEREAS, Throughout history, the Greek people have exhibited an
enduring sense of bravery in rising against oppressors; Winston
Churchill noted, in a famed World War II speech, "Until now, we used to
say that the Greeks fight like heroes. Now we shall say, 'The heroes
fight like Greeks.'"; and
WHEREAS, Ancient Greece has shaped modern society by originating the
concepts of logic, science, lyrics, philosophy, and history and being
the birthplace of democratic ideals, inspiring the notion of
participation in government, which influenced the framing of the United
States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, Greece has continued to enrich American culture in the
fields of literature, philosophy, and architecture and has promoted the
modern Olympic Games, hosting the first in 1896 and, most recently, in
2004; we also honor Greek Americans in New York State who have improved
our community, shown love for family, and shared with us their
traditions to learn and celebrate; and
WHEREAS, In many ways, including the presence of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America, the great State of New York has been blessed;
the Archdiocese serves as a beacon of moral and ethical guidance
throughout the hemisphere from its Manhattan headquarters; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York is further enhanced by its
long-standing partnership with the Federation of Hellenic-American
Societies which continues its tradition of strong leadership within the
Greek-American community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
New Yorkers of Hellenic descent for their enduring contributions to the
educational, social, moral, and economic principles that are so deeply
ingrained in the fabric of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2026 as Greek
History Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
commemoration of the 205th Anniversary of Greek Independence, and to
publicly encourage the citizens of New York State to reflect upon the
contributions of the Greek community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York, and His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of
America, Most Honorable Exarch of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America.
