President Obama to Host Greek Independence Day Celebration at the White House; Greeks, Irish Only American Ethnic Groups to Hold Annual Event in Nation’s House
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Gregory Pappas
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President Obama to Host Greek Independence Day Celebration at the White House; Greeks, Irish Only American Ethnic Groups to Hold Annual Event in Nation’s House
President Barack Obama will continue a tradition that has been going for three decades— hosting representatives of the Greek American community at the White House.
Prior to the regular event that began three decades ago, there were periodic presidential meetings with Greek community and church leaders, including a first-ever White House meeting by representatives of AHEPA in 1929.
But the annual community-wide reception that began with President Reagan’s Administration in 1986, will be the 30th consecutive time a sitting U.S. President has opened the Nation’s House to Greek Americans to celebrate Greek Independence Day.
The creators of the event, who have successfully secured this meeting with the President in each of the last 30 years are Mike and Andrew Manatos, well-known Washington DC lobbyists and Greek American community activists.
“This will be our 30th consecutive gathering with the President of the United States. The Irish-American community (1 in 8 Americans) and we (1 in 250 Americans) are the only ethnic groups that are able to secure an annual event with the President of the United States,” Manatos said.
The Greek Orthodox Church is always at the forefront of the event and representing the Greek American community. Prominent members of the Greek American community and supporters of the Greek Orthodox Church are also invited.
The coveted invitation list varies year to year, sometimes including visitors from Greece including prime ministers, members of the Greek government and even Hollywood stars of Greek descent.
Congressional offices also send representatives from their districts and members of Greek descent from throughout the various branches of the Federal government are also invited.
87 Years of Greek Americans in the White House
The invitation to the 2016 Greek Independence Day reception
Representatives of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Ahepa) visited the White House to meet President Calvin Coolidge on February 3, 1929. It was the first time a Greek organization in America had a sitting meeting with a U.S. President.
President Harry Truman and Archbishop Athenagoras in 1947
President Harry S. Truman with Archbishop Michael in 1950 to discuss the crisis regarding the repatriation of thousands of Greek children who had been taken captive in Communist countries, following Greece’s Civil War.
President John F. Kennedy welcomes clergymen from the Greek Orthodox Church, including Archbishop Iakovos in October 1961
Vice President Spiro Agnew with Archbishop Iakovos in 1971
Archbishop Iakovos receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Jimmy Carter, June 9, 1980.
Mike Manatos and Andy Manatos, the father-son lobbying team in Washington DC began the regular community-wide celoebration with the Reagan Administration in 1986
Mike got an early start in politics when his dad Andy introduced him to President Jimmy Carter. The elder Manatos served as Asst. Commerce Secretary
President Bush with Archbishop Iakovos
President Clinton presents the Greek Independence Day proclamation to Archbishop Iakovos
President Clinton with Andy Manatos
The Bush Family with Andy and Mike Manatos
President George Bush helps Archbishop Demetrios off the stage
White House events have often included celebrity chefs, including Maria Loi
And chef Cat Cora in 2010, who created a special menu fusing her Greek and Southern heritage
New York City’s Michael Psilakis has also cooked for the reception
It’s often a surreal experience seeing baklava displayed so elegantly next to the Abe Lincoln portrait in the formal dining room
…Right next to the official White House napkins
Of course, no Greek celebration is complete without the lambchops
President Barack Obama visits with Archbishop Demetrios in the Green Room of the White House prior to the 2011 reception.
The President, Greek prime minister George Papandreou and Archbishop Demetrios
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