A day after US President Donald Trump officially proclaimed March 25, 2026, as “Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy” in the United States, on Thursday afternoon he hosted an event at the White House in honor of what he described as the historic ties between the two nations.

“This Greek Independence Day, we commemorate the wisdom and resolve of the Greek people, who cast off the chains of despotism, renewed the promise of freedom first born on their ancient soil, and reasserted their rightful place as the cradle of Western civilization,” Trump said in a proclamation.

The US president emphasized the deep historical roots of democracy, noting that the concept of self-government “first dawned in Greece,” where citizens were given “a direct voice” in shaping their nation’s future.

The Greek War of Independence began on March 25, 1821, when Greek revolutionaries launched a revolution and fought for freedom and self-determination after four centuries of dour Ottoman rule.

U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Ann Guilfoyle and NY businessman John Catsimatidis react at a celebration in honor of Greek Independence Day in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 26, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper