Greek Independence Day 2025: date and countries

Dates by country

Greek Independence Day 2025 by country
Country	Date	Local name
Cyprus	Tue 25 Mar	Ημέρα της Ελληνικής Ανεξαρτησίας

What is Greek Independence Day?

Greek Independence Day, observed on 25 March in Greece and Cyprus, commemorates the start of the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule in 1821. In the traditional account, Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the banner of revolt at the monastery of Agia Lavra on that day, although historians note that the uprising began in several places in the weeks before and that the date has a symbolic character. The anniversary is also celebrated by the Greek diaspora. It is one of the two main national holidays of Greece, with Ohi Day.

25 March is also the feast of the Annunciation, the day on which, according to the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would bear Jesus, so a national and a religious holiday coincide. Schools hold ceremonies with poems and songs, students march in local parades in folk costume, and in Athens there is a military parade after a wreath-laying at Syntagma Square. The traditional meal is fried salt cod with skordalia, a garlic sauce, since fish is permitted in the Orthodox Lenten fast on the Annunciation.

Why it is observed

The Greek War of Independence lasted from 1821 until the independence of Greece was recognised in 1830, and the Kingdom of Greece was set up under the 1832 settlement. The anniversary was made a national holiday in 1838, by a royal decree under King Otto. Because the Orthodox churches of Greece and Cyprus keep the Annunciation on the same date, the commemoration of the uprising is paired every year with a church feast.

How the date is set

Greek Independence Day is fixed on 25 March. The date also coincides with the Annunciation in the Orthodox and Western calendars.

How it is observed

In Greece and Cyprus, 25 March is a public holiday. Banks, public offices and schools are closed, and parades are held in the morning in cities and towns, with road closures and crowds. Many shops and restaurants are open, and fish, especially salt cod, is a popular choice for the meal. The date is fixed, so it can fall on a weekend, and then there is generally no day off in lieu. Pay and time off depend on national law and the contract.

Sources

Questions

Good to know

When is Greek Independence Day in 2025?

Tuesday, 25 March 2025 in all 1 countries that observe it (Cyprus).

Which countries observe Greek Independence Day?

In our coverage: Cyprus. Only holidays that apply across a whole country are counted.

Why is Greek Independence Day observed?

The Greek War of Independence lasted from 1821 until the independence of Greece was recognised in 1830, and the Kingdom of Greece was set up under the 1832 settlement. The anniversary was made a national holiday in 1838, by a royal decree under King Otto. Because the Orthodox churches of Greece and Cyprus keep the Annunciation on the same date, the commemoration of the uprising is paired every year with a church feast.

How is the date of Greek Independence Day set?

Greek Independence Day is fixed on 25 March. The date also coincides with the Annunciation in the Orthodox and Western calendars.