Bob Filner: “it is with both great pride and humility that I rise to join in the celebration of the 177th Anniversary of Greek…”

“it is with both great pride and humility that I rise to join in the celebration of the 177th Anniversary of Greek Independence. On March 25, 1821 the Greeks began their long struggle for independence from what then was the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire, present day Turkey, had ruled Greece for almost 400 years. Freedom from the Ottoman Turks' subjugation had been dreamed of for many generations prior to Bishop Germano of Patras hoisting the Greek flag over a Peloponnese monastery. This simple act of defiance marked the beginning of a long and bitter struggle for the Greek people, but a struggle that few rejected and many embraced. Not only were the Greek patriots willing to fight for freedom, but they were willing to sacrifice their lives to ensure their independence. Their success was such during the first years of conflict that the Turks were surprised and confounded. To turn the tide of the war, the Sultan sought and received the help of Egyptian forces. And although the Greeks were fighting what appeared a losing battle, they never yielded, they never ceased to believe, and they never gave up their hopes and dreams of independence. Finally, with help from Britain, France, and Russia, in 1829, the Greeks not only routed the Egyptian and Turkish forces, but also demanded and received the Sultan's recognition of independence.”