Introduction

The Greek Revolution of 1821, the fundamental milestone in modern Greek history, constitutes an indelible point of reference for every Greek person. Particularly for Greeks in the diaspora, the Revolution serves as the foundational event of their collective identity—so celebrating the Revolution is an integral part of their community life. This book is the beginning of a conversation about the internalization of historical moments by diasporic Greeks. A variety of discourses and practices demonstrate the impact of the Revolution on the Greeks in the United States and Canada. This edited volume will tackle these practices and discourses, offering both historical and contemporary reflections. The chapters of the volume reflect theories and methodologies from several fields (history, literature, art history, cultural studies, and education studies). The authors enter into dialogue with each other to reach a better understanding of the past and current importance of the Greek Revolution—its evolution, accommodations, and adaptations—as these aspects come to bear on the identity of Greeks in the diaspora.