“Two hundred and thirty-six years ago, a new American Nation was founded on an old Greek principle — democratic rule by a free people. We trace this enduring idea to ancient Hellas, where Greeks brought forth the world’s first democracy…”
These were the words of former U.S. President Barack Obama on March 23, 2012, in the proclamation that he issued on March 23, 2012, commemorating Greek Independence Day (March 25), according to greekreporter.com.
“As America’s Founders built a Government of the people, by the people, and for the people, they drew inspiration from the democratic pioneers who shaped a small group of ancient Greek city-states,” is another excerpt from the proclamation, recognizing the contribution of the Greek ideal of democracy to the American Declaration of Independence 244 years ago.
The ideals that helped shape and develop the American democratic republic after 1776 owe a debt to the ancient civilization of Greece. All of America’s founding fathers had studied ancient Greek philosophy, drawing inspiration about morals, ethics, and the sense of independence, all fundamental principles of a democratic society.
Read the full story at greekreporter.com
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