Greek National Independence Day is celebrated with parades and other commemorative events around the country. On March 25th 1821 Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the flag of revolution at the monastery of Agia Lavra near Kalavrita and the battle cry of "Freedom or Death" became the motto of the revolution. (Click for more on the Revolution of 1821)

Everyone enjoys a parade whether its marching bands and brownies or fire-trucks and Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. But the Greek Independence Day parade is something that few of us growing up in the USA or other western countries have ever seen. Its a full military parade with soldiers, tanks, jets and helicopters, firemen, policemen and representatives of all of the armed forces. The military parade alternates every year between Athens and Thessaloniki. In 2009 it was in Athens and I woke up early to get a good view. These are some of the photos I took. Click on the first photo and then click your way through to the end.