Military and pupils’ parades took place throughout Greece and in cities around the world with a large ethnic Greek presence on the occasion of the 204th anniversary of the symbolic commencement of the Greek independence struggle on March 25, 1821.

March 25 is the date given for the uprising in the southern-most Peloponnese against dour Ottoman rule, although military action had begun a month earlier in the Wallachia province of northeast Romania by a contingent of Greek volunteers.

The customary military parade in Athens passed before Parliament and Syntagma square, with the nation’s political and armed forces’ leadership looking on, joined by the hierarchy of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece.

Tuesday’s commemoration was the first by new President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas in his capacity as head of state, as he was elected by Parliament last month. Also in attendance was Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and main opposition PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis.

“For nine years they (the independence fighters) had repeated the slogan ‘freedom or death’. Let’s recall what the borders of the state of 1830 were in order to better understand how difficult our beginning (as a new state) was, and to appreciate the subsequent 204-year course. The 25th of March 1821 is our greatest school, it’s our most optimistic source, that is why we commemorated it in the best way,” Tasoulas said afterwards.

New President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas reviews military units passing before him in Athens on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, during a military parade commemorating the 204th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek War of Independence.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis, center, along with Attica Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias and EU Commission Apostolos Tzitzikostas appear on a grandstand during a military parade in Athens on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, to commemorate the 204th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek War of Independence.

Tassoulas added: “In 204 years Greece has achieved a great deal. Today Greece is a pillar of peace and stability, a place that seeks its own prosperity.”

Mitsotakis

On his part, PM Mitsotakis noted that “…What on March 25, 1821, seemed unattainable to many, became a reality and on such national holidays it’s worth reflecting over our nation’s momentous journey in these past 204 years. We should learn from our triumphs, but also from the disasters, and always know that the Greeks succeeded when they were united; when they set high goals and when they all struggled together to achieve them.”

Celebratory schedule

Events for the national holiday began at dawn with a 21-gun salute fired from atop the Lycabettus Hill and the national anthem being sung by military and police units in downtown Athens.

An official flag-raising ceremony took place atop the Acropolis at 8 a.m., followed by a te deum service at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral and a con-celebratory Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of the Annunciation, a major religious holiday in the predominately Orthodox nation. The services were officiated by the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos.

Before the military parade, Tassoulas laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is located in front of Parliament.