A tribute to the Greek War of Independence by the team at GreekList.
The Greek War of Independence (1821–1829), also known as the Greek Revolution of 1821, fought against the Ottoman Empire, was a hard-won victory that birthed modern Greece. From the initial sparks of rebellion to the decisive battles and the establishment of the first independent Greek state, countless stories of heroism, sacrifice, and triumph unfolded across the land. The motto “Eleftheria i Thanatos“, meaning “Liberty or Death”, became its rallying cry.
Every year on 25 March, Greeks in Greece and around the world celebrate Greek Independence Day. Here is our tribute to the events and the heroes that led to the liberation of Hellas, from the first uprising in 1821 to the birth of the modern Greek state.
The Exodus of Messolonghi (1826)
Hellas is the ancient Greek name for Greece and it’s still used by Greeks themselves to refer to their homeland. Nowadays “Hellas” appears in the official name of the country in Greek. In historical contexts, “Hellas” can also refer to the wider Hellenic world, encompassing not just the geographical territory of Greece but also Greek colonies and areas with significant Greek cultural influence during the ancient and Hellenistic periods.
Tradition holds that on 25 March 1821, Metropolitan Germanos of Patras raised the banner of the revolution at the Monastery of Agia Lavra near Kalavryta. In 1838, the young Greek state officially declared 25 March a national holiday, linking the anniversary of the revolution with one of the great feasts of the Orthodox Church.
On the same day, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive Jesus Christ. Greeks honour Mary as the Theotokos (God-bearer), and the feast symbolises renewal and hope. The two meanings have become inseparable: 25 March celebrates both the “annunciation” of the nation’s rebirth and a central moment of the Christian faith, which is why the day begins with church services and continues with school and military parades.
An Orthodox icon of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary
The Greek world was the heart of the mighty Byzantine Empire, but after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, Greeks had to endure almost 400 years of rule by the Ottoman Empire. For centuries, embers of cultural identity smoldered, fueled by Orthodox faith and whispers of ancient glory. By the early 19th century, these embers ignited, fanned by European and American revolutionary ideals and the yearning for freedom. Thus began the Greek War of Independence, a nine-year struggle that would reshape the map of Europe and rekindle the spirit of a nation.
Here is a brief view of the historical events:
By the early 19th century, secret revolutionary societies like the Filiki Eteria (“Friendly Society”) emerged, dedicated to liberating Greece from Ottoman rule. Inspired by the American and French revolutions, these clandestine groups meticulously planned an uprising. Many warriors were recruited and gave their oath to fight for liberty.
In 1821, the spark finally ignited. On 22 February 1821 (6 March in today’s calendar), Alexander Ypsilantis crossed the river Prut and raised the flag of revolt in the Danubian Principalities. Within weeks the uprising spread to the Peloponnese, the islands and Central Greece. This marked the beginning of the long and arduous struggle for independence, paved by the echoes of the fallen Byzantine Empire, the enduring spirit of “Romiosyne,” and the intellectual and cultural awakening that fueled the fire of revolution.
The uprising began with a bang. Theodoros Kolokotronis‘ Siege of Tripolitsa and Andreas Miaoulis’ naval victories at Patras and Spetses were early morale boosters. In 1822, the Ottomans answered with the infamous Chios Massacre, a brutal reminder of the stakes involved. Weeks later, Konstantinos Kanaris avenged it by destroying the Ottoman flagship off Chios with a fireship.
On land, victories like the Battles of Dervenakia (1822) and Arahova (1823) pushed back Ottoman forces. However, defeats like the Battle of Peta (1822) highlighted the war’s brutality and the high cost of freedom. In 1826, the Maniots held back Ibrahim Pasha’s invasion of Mani, one of the few checks on his Egyptian army in the Peloponnese.
Internal conflicts plagued the Greek camp, hindering progress. Yet, the spirit remained alive. The Siege and Exodus of Messolonghi (1826), a heroic last stand, became a symbol of sacrifice and drew the attention of all Europe. This, coupled with the philhellenic movement and the English poet Lord Byron’s involvement, pushed Britain, France and Russia to intervene. On 20 October 1827, their combined fleets destroyed the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet at the Battle of Navarino, the decisive turning point of the war. October 2027 marks the 200th anniversary of the battle.
With the Ottomans weakened and international support growing, the Ottoman Empire accepted Greek autonomy in the Treaty of Adrianople (1829). Finally, the London Protocol (1830) recognised Greece as a fully independent state.
A Greek Warrior
Destruction of an Ottoman flagship
The Oath of Filiki Eteria
Naval Battle of Navarino
The Siege of Tripolitsa
Battle of Dervenakia
Greek women joining the fight
In the epic saga of Greece’s quest for liberty, countless heroes emerge, their deeds woven into the fabric of history. Here, we honour thirteen of these legendary figures whose courage and sacrifice ignited the flames of independence, shaping the destiny of a nation:
Theodoros Kolokotronis
Alexandros Ypsilantis
Konstantinos Kanaris
Georgios Karaiskakis
Laskarina Bouboulina
Papaflessas
The flames of the Greek War of Independence weren’t fueled solely by internal heroes. “Philhellenes,” captivated by ancient Greek ideals and the fight for freedom, emerged from across Europe. This diverse group, from writers like Alexander Pushkin to painters like Eugène Delacroix, offered crucial support. Lord Byron, however, became the movement’s iconic face. He poured his passion and wealth into the cause, funding the fight, raising international awareness with his writing and even joining the struggle in person. He died at Messolonghi in April 1824, and Greeks still honour him as a national hero.
Beyond their individual contributions, these Philhellenes pressured European powers and shaped global opinion, playing a pivotal role in securing Greek independence and etching their names alongside Greece’s own heroes.
Lord Byron in a Greek costume
Stepping onto the stage not as a warrior but as a bright diplomat and leader, Ioannis Kapodistrias arrived in Greece in January 1828 as the first Governor of Greece. The fighting was drawing to a close, but the nation’s future was precarious. This statesman, respected across Europe and soon nicknamed the “Saviour of Hellas”, embarked on a monumental task: building a nation from the ashes of war. He established administrative structures, laying the groundwork for a functioning state. Education, neglected during the conflict, blossomed under his watch, with schools opening across the country.
Recognizing the importance of a thriving economy, he implemented economic reforms, encouraging agriculture and trade. However, his greatest challenge may have been uniting a nation fractured by internal conflicts. His calm demeanour and focus on pragmatism helped bridge divides, fostering a sense of unity and purpose. While his rule was tragically cut short by assassination in 1831, Kapodistrias’s impact on Greece was undeniable. He laid the foundation for a modern state, ensuring that the sacrifices of the revolution wouldn’t be in vain. His legacy as a nation-builder continues to resonate, reminding us of the power of leadership, vision, and a commitment to progress.
Ioannis Kapodistrias
The first Greek state, recognised in 1830, was much smaller than modern Greece. Its northern border was finally set by the Treaty of Constantinople in 1832, along a line running from the Gulf of Arta to the Gulf of Volos. The new kingdom included the Peloponnese, Sterea Hellas (Central Greece), Euboea and the Cyclades.
Major regions such as Thessaly, Macedonia, Epirus and Crete remained outside the new state. Over the following century, the Ionian Islands, Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia, Crete and the North Aegean islands joined Greece. The last addition came in 1947, when the Dodecanese were incorporated, giving Greece its present borders. This initial territory, though much smaller than today’s Greece, marked a milestone in the nation’s rebirth and the foundation of its later growth.
The initial years were marked by instability as diverse factions vied for power. Kings and Prime Ministers rose and fell. After the assassination of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the Great Powers (Britain, France and Russia) placed King Otto on the throne, and he ruled as an absolute monarch. The Greek people pressed for reform, and the 3 September 1843 revolution forced Otto to grant a constitution, adopted in 1844. In the years that followed, the political system changed many times, from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy, republic and dictatorship, until parliamentary democracy was restored in 1974. Visionary leaders like Prime Minister Charilaos Trikoupis modernised the state with large-scale public works, while Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos led Greece to expand its borders. Defeats like the Greco-Turkish Wars of 1897 and 1919–1922, and victories such as the Balkan Wars and the heroic defence against the Italian invasion in 1940, left their mark on the Greek nation.
3 September 1843, the day the Greek people demanded a constitution
The legacy of the Greek Revolution reverberates to this day. It stands as a testament to the power of collective action, the enduring spirit of freedom, and the unwavering belief in national identity. While the challenges faced by modern Greece are far from over, the echoes of “Eleftheria i Thanatos!” (Liberty or Death!) continue to inspire, reminding all that the fight for liberty is a constant struggle, and the flame of hope, once ignited, can never be truly extinguished.
For Greeks living in the UK, Greek Independence Day is one of the most important days of the year. Greek Orthodox churches across the country hold a doxology (thanksgiving service), Greek community schools organise celebrations where children recite poems and parade in traditional costume, and community organisations host events and receptions. Check with your local Greek Orthodox church or Greek school for this year’s programme.
If you would rather celebrate in Greece, the main parades take place in Athens, and our guide to visiting Athens on 25 March has everything you need to plan the trip. For a quieter pilgrimage, Kalavryta and the Monastery of Agia Lavra are where, according to tradition, the revolution began; see our weekend guide to Kalavryta.
The revolution began in early 1821, with the uprising in the Danubian Principalities in February and the uprising in the Peloponnese in March. The Ottoman Empire accepted Greek autonomy in 1829, and the London Protocol of 1830 recognised Greece as an independent state.
By tradition, the revolution was declared at the Monastery of Agia Lavra on 25 March 1821, and in 1838 the Greek state made 25 March a national holiday. The date is also the Feast of the Annunciation in the Orthodox Church.
It means “Liberty or Death”, the motto of the Greek revolutionaries. The nine stripes of the Greek flag are often said to represent its nine syllables in Greek.
Among the best known are Theodoros Kolokotronis, Georgios Karaiskakis, Andreas Miaoulis, Laskarina Bouboulina, Konstantinos Kanaris, Markos Botsaris, Athanasios Diakos and Alexandros Ypsilantis, together with philhellenes such as Lord Byron.
A naval battle on 20 October 1827 in which the British, French and Russian fleets destroyed the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet. It was the turning point that made Greek independence possible, and 2027 marks its 200th anniversary.
