Greece commemorated on Monday the 198th anniversary of the 1821 War of Independence against 400 years of Ottoman rule with the annual military parade in the center of the capital.
Thousands of Greeks flocked to the city center to watch the best the Greek Armed forces have to offer.
The parade took place in front of the President of the Republic, Prokopis Pavlopolos.
Earlier, in his message for Greek Independence Day, Pavlopoulos had underlined the need for a solid front of co-responsibility and coordination of actions for the promotion of the country, the people and the nation’s interests.
The President said that “the example of our ancestors should be, for every Greek, the compass indicating our own National Duty,” adding that the example of our ancestors should inspire us and guide us forever.
“Greece is now a stable, credible power of peace and safety in the Balkans and in the wider region of the southeastern Mediterranean that totally and in practice respects the European and international law.” he emphasized.
Student parades were held Saturday across the country.