A day for parades

Tomorrow is Greek Independence Day. In 1821, Greeks rose up against the oppressive Ottoman Empire, which had ruled Greece for nearly 400 years, embarking on the ultimately successful war of independence.

Bishop Germanos of Patras boldly raised the Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lavras, inciting the Peloponnese to rise against the oppressors.

While the exact date probably was not March 25, it did occur in late March and it was gradually associated with the religious feast of the Annunciation.