PHILADELPHIA. The celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States holds a prominent place on the agenda of AHEPA’s 104th Supreme Convention, which began yesterday, Monday, in Philadelphia.
There are two reasons for this. The first relates to the fact that the earliest actions toward declaring independence originated in Philadelphia, a city that serves as a stronghold of Hellenism in the tri-state area.
The second reason relates to the fact that AHEPA, the leading organization of Greek-Americans for 104 consecutive years, fought to protect Greek immigrants from the Ku Klux Klan and other racist organizations, and in a short span of time managed to change the course of history, spurring hundreds of thousands of Greek-Americans to become citizens and achieve the American Dream.
It was hardly a coincidence, then, that the first day of the convention was dedicated to the 250th anniversary, giving delegates and their families the opportunity to visit the monuments and pay tribute to the nation’s heroes and to America’s Unknown Soldier.
Former AHEPA presidents George Horiates and Nicholas Karacostas, speaking to Anamniseis, expressed their satisfaction with the enthusiasm shown by the hundreds of delegates from AHEPA as well as from the Daughters of Penelope, the Maids of Athena, and the Sons of Pericles.
Today, Tuesday, the general sessions of the four aforementioned organizations will begin, and in the evening delegates will head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art — renowned for its Greek architectural style — where the “America the Beautiful” reception will be held.
AHEPA Executive Director Basil Mossaidis and the convention’s organizing committee employed innovative communication methods with delegates, making it easy for both them and their families to take part in the cultural, athletic, and entertainment events scheduled throughout the convention — from Sunday evening, July 26, 2026, when delegate registration began, through Saturday evening, August 1, 2026, when the farewell banquet will be held.
Source : anamniseis.net
