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Come Celebrate with Cousin Ilias

Cousin Ilias - who marched in the Philadelphia parade - is here wearing the traditional costume of a Greek soldier.

Greek Independence Day!

March 25th marks the celebration of Greek Independence day. On this date in 1821, the Greek flag was raised at the monastery of Agia Lavras, marking the beginning of the war of independence against the Ottoman Empire, which had occupied Greece for nearly 400 years. Fighting continued until 1829, when Greek independence was finally achieved.

The date was of symbolic importance, as it also marks the Orthodox celebration of the Annunciation (when Gabriel first announced the conception to Mary). It is also the name day for Zoe's uncle Evan and many of her Greek cousins!

• Zoe says: "Let's Learn Greek"
• Zoe's big adventure
• Unscramble Zoe
  (Note: Game may not work on all browsers)
• Zoe's Future Career??
  - Zoe Amanpour
  - Zoe Croft
  - Zoe Curie
• Who is the Mystery baby?
• Visit the Zoe Gallery
• Back to Zoe's home page

>> Click this link to
listen to the
Greek National Anthem.

About the Greek Flag

The number of the lines in the flag is based on the number of the syllables in the Greek phrase: Eleutheria H Thanatos ("Freedom or Death"), the motto during the  Hellenic Revolution. The colors symbolize the blue of the Greek sea and sky and the whiteness of the waves and clouds. The cross symbolizes the importance of the Christian church.