Greek Americans

Greek Americans(Greek:ΕλληνοαμερικανοίEllinoamerikanoí[eliˌno.amerikaˈni]orΕλληνοαμερικάνοιEllinoamerikánoi[eliˌno.ameriˈkani])areAmericansof full or partialGreekancestry. The lowest estimate is that 1.2 million Americans are of Greek descent while the highest estimate suggests over 3 million.According to theUS census,264,066 people older than five spokeGreekat home in 2019.

Greek Americans
Ελληνοαμερικανοί

Total population
1,265,177–3,000,000(approx.) 0.75%of the U.S. population (2010)
Regions with significant populations
New York City Boston Chicago Cleveland Los Angeles Washington, D.C. San Francisco Philadelphia Detroit Miami Tampa Atlanta Salt Lake City Las Vegas Phoenix Helena, Montana Omaha Milwaukee Minneapolis Hartford
Languages
American English Greek
Religion
Christianity,predominantlyGreek Orthodox,other religions,Judaism

Greek Americans have the highest concentrations in theNew York City,Boston,andChicagoregions, but have settled in majormetropolitan areasacross the United States. In 2000,Tarpon Springs, Florida,was home to the highest per capita representation of Greek Americans in the country (just over 10%). The United States is home to the largest number of Greeks outside ofGreece,followed byCyprusandAustralia.

History

Early history

A youngGreekimmigrantonEllis Island,New York City,late 19th century

Greek parade at57th Street,New York State

The first Greek to ever set foot in America was Johan Griego (lit. 'John the Greek'), in 1492. He was a member ofChristopher Columbus's first expedition.At least two other Greeks followed soon; they were brothers who sailed with Columbus in his second (1493) and third (1498) expeditions.Spanish and English historians mention three Greeks who sailed withFerdinand Magellanin 1520 on his voyage toPatagonia.Their names are listed as:Nikolao,Ioanni,andMattheo.

Another Greek, Don Doroteo Teodoro, was a sailor who landed in Boca Ciega Bay at the Jungle Prada site in present-daySt. Petersburg, Floridawith theNarváez expeditionin 1528.He was instrumental in building the rafts that the expedition survivors built and sailed from present-day St. Mark's River in Florida until they were shipwrecked near Galveston Island, Texas. Teodoro had been captured by natives as they sailed along the Gulf coast shoreline toward the west, and was never seen again.He was presumably killed by the natives.Don Doroteo Teodoro is regarded as the first Greek to have set foot on soil which is today part of theUnited States.Pedro de Candia(lit. 'Petros the Cretan',a Greek adventurer and soldier fromCrete,is known for being a lieutenant ofFrancisco Pizarrowho conquered the empire of Peru and founded the city ofLima.

WhenFrancis DrakereachedValparaiso,Chile in 1578 he found there a Greek pilot, whose name was Ioannis. loannis acted as Drake's pilot as far asLima,Peru.Ten years later,Thomas Cavendishmet a Greek pilot by the name of Georgio, who knew the waters of Chile. Both of these Greek pilots must have been in the area for many years in order to have sufficient knowledge of the waters to act as pilots for visiting ships.

In 1592, Greek captainJuan de Fuca(original name: Ioannis Fokas or Apostolos Valerianos) sailed up thePacificcoast under the Spanish flag, in search of the fabledNorthwest Passagebetween the Pacific and theAtlantic.He reported discovering a body of water, astraitwhich today bears his name: theStrait of Juan de Fuca,which today forms part of theCanada–United States border.

There is a report that a Cretan Greek named Konopios operated a coffeehouse inNew Englandin 1652.Records show that a Greek, Michael Dry (Youris), became anaturalizedcitizen by act of theGeneral Assembly of Marylandin 1725. This makes Dry the first Greek positively known to reside permanently in what is today the United States.

About 500 Greeks fromSmyrna,Crete,andManisettled inNew Smyrna Beach, Floridain 1768. The colony was unsuccessful, and the settlers moved toSt. Augustinein 1776. In November 1777, a Greek chapel was established in St. Augustine, where Greeks could pray with their ownrites.Almost 200 years later, the chapel was designated theSt. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrineby theGreek Orthodox Church,and it exists today as a remnant of their presence, having been built atop the site of the Avero House, itself believed to be the first site of Greek Orthodox worship in the United States.

The first noted Greek American scholar wasJohn Paradise.He was persuaded to immigrate to America byBenjamin FranklinandThomas Jefferson,whom he met in Europe. Paradise married into the notable Ludwell family, one of the most prominent colonial families inVirginia.

Evstratii Delarov,a native of thePeloponnese,was the first documentedGreekexplorer and merchant to arrive inAlaska.From 1783 to 1791, he was in charge of all Russian trading operations in theAleutian Islandsand in Alaska.He is today considered to have been the firstde factoGovernor of Alaska.

Michel Dragon,a Greek merchant who took part in theAmerican Revolutionary Waras a lieutenant.

Greek-American volunteers in the Balkan Wars

Early records showMichel Dragon(Michalis Dracos) andAndrea Dimitry(Andrea Drussakis Demetrios) settled inNew Orleansaround 1799.Michel Dragonwas a lieutenant in theAmerican RevolutionandAndrea Dimitryparticipated in theWar of 1812.Andreamarried Michel Dragon's daughter,Marianne Celeste Dragon,and established a small community in New Orleans. The marriage between them in 1799 was the first known marriage between Greeks in America.His son wasUnited States ambassador to Costa Rica& NicaraguaAlexander Dimitry.Another Greek refugee namedGeorge Marshallalso came to the United States around this period. He was born in Rhodes in 1782. Marshall joined the United States Navy in 1809 and he wroteMarshall's Practical Marine Gunnery.Marshall had a successful naval career and became master gunner. His son George J Marshall also served in the navy. His son-in-law wasGeorge Sirian.Due to problems with the strait of Gibraltar, America was desperate for trade with Europe. Pirates ransomed Americans which led to two Barbary wars. America eventually formed the Mediterranean Squadron.

19th century

Many American ships traveled to the Ottoman Empire, namely Ayvalık. TheGreek War of Independencebegan in 1821 and lasted until 1830. Americans established missionaries in Greece. The missionaries includedJonas King.Prominent American abolitionistsSamuel Gridley HoweandJonathan Peckham Millerparticipated in the Greek War.Jonathan Peckham Milleradopted Greek orphanLucas M. Miller.Samuel Gridley Howealso collected a number of refugees and brought them back to Boston. Some of the refugees he brought includedJohn Celivergos Zachosand authorChristophorus Plato Castanis.

New England and Boston became home to countless Greek refugees during the 1820s. Some of them were: AuthorPetros Mengous,Photius Fisk,Gregory Anthony Perdicaris,Evangelinos Apostolides Sophocles,George Colvocoresses,Garafilia Mohalbi.There was a large Greek presence atMount Pleasant Classical Instituteand other local universities.There were hundreds of Greek orphans that arrived in New England. Some drastically contributed to the United States of America. TheGreek Slave Movementwas initiated by Boston abolitionists.

The Greek Slave Movement started in the 1820s during the influx of young refugees to New England. The movement contributed to countless paintings, sculptures, poems, essays, and songs. The death of Greek slaveGarafilia Mohalbiwas a trigger for sympathy. She was featured in many poems and songs. The Greek Slave Movement was so popular in American media that sculptorHiram PowerscreatedThe Greek Slave.The Greek Slave Movement was an abolitionist tool to abolish slavery in the United States. The theme eventually exploded some examples include:The Slave Market (Gérôme painting),The Slave Market (Boulanger painting),and the slave MarketOtto Pilny.Some of the young Greek refugees became abolitionists.

John Celivergos Zachosbecame a prominent educator. He was also a woman's rights activist and abolitionist.Photius Fiskwas another abolitionist who fought for the anti-slavery cause.Gregory Anthony Perdicariswas a wealthy millionaire who created the framework for gas and electric companies.George Colvocoresseswas a captain in the United States Navy.Colvos Passageis named after him.George Sirianwas another seaman in the United States Navy. The George Sirian Meritorious Service Award is named after him. Harvard created an entire department forEvangelinos Apostolides Sophocles.Greek orphanLucas Miltiades Millerbecame a U.S. Congressman.

In theAmerican Civil War,Greek Americans fought for both sides,UnionandConfederate,with prominent Greeks such asGeorge Colvocoresses,John Celivergos ZachosandPhotius Fisktaking part in the war on the side of theUnion.A Greek Company within theConfederate Louisiana Militiawas formed for Greeks who fought for theConfederate States of America.

After the Civil War, the Greek community continued to flourish inNew Orleans,Louisiana.By 1866, the community was numerous and prosperous enough to have a Greekconsulateand the first officialGreek Orthodox Churchin the United States.During that period, most Greek immigrants to theNew Worldcame fromAsia Minorand thoseAegean Islandsstill underOttomanrule. By 1890, there were almost 15,000 Greeks living in the U.S.

Immigration picked up again in the 1890s and early 20th century, due largely to economic opportunity in the U.S., displacement caused by the hardships ofOttomanrule, theBalkan Wars,andWorld War I.Most of these immigrants had come from southern Greece, especially from the Peloponnesian provinces of Laconia and Arcadia.450,000 Greeks arrived to the States between 1890 and 1917, most working in the cities of thenortheastern United States;others labored on railroad construction and in mines of thewestern United States;another 70,000 arrived between 1918 and 1924. Each wave of immigration contributed to the growth ofHellenismin the U.S.

Greek immigration at this time was over 90% male, contrasted with most other European immigration to the U.S., such asItalianandIrishimmigration, which averaged 50% to 60% male. Many Greek immigrants expected to work and return to theirhomelandafter earning capital and dowries for their families. However, the loss of their homeland due to theGreek genocideand the 1923population exchange between Greece and Turkey,which displaced 1,500,000 Greeks fromAnatolia,Eastern Thrace,andPontuscaused the initial economic immigrants to reside permanently in America. The Greeks werede juredenaturalizedfrom their homelands and lost the right to return, and their families were made refugees. Additionally, the first widely implementedU.S. immigration limits against non Western European immigrantswere made in 1924, creating an impetus for immigrants to apply for citizenship, bring their families and permanently settle in the U.S. Fewer than 30,000 Greek immigrants arrived in the U.S. between 1925 and 1945, most of whom were "picture brides"for single Greek men and family members coming over to join relatives.

20th century

Sponge auction inTarpon Springs, Florida,in 1947. The community has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the U.S.

In 1909, there was apogrom against the Greek populationin SouthOmaha.

The events of the early 1920s also provided the stimulus for the first permanent national Greek American religious and civic organizations. In 1922, as a response to the anti-Greek campaign and actions of theKu Klux Klan,theAmerican Hellenic Educational Progressive Associationwas founded, which sought to organize andAmericanizethe Greek immigrant in America.Anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly among newspapers owned byWilliam Randolph Hearst,provided the background to sensational trials in the 1920s, including the conviction ofAlexander Pantages,Greek immigrant and movie theater pioneer, in 1929. His 50-year prison sentence was later overturned.

Greeks again began to arrive in large numbers after 1945, fleeing the economic devastation caused byWorld War IIand theGreek Civil War.From 1945 until 1982, approximately 211,000 Greeks immigrated to the United States. These later immigrants were less influenced by the powerful assimilation pressures of the 1920s and 1930s and revitalized Greek American identity, especially in areas such as Greek-language media.

Greek immigrants founded more than 600dinersin the New York metropolitan area in the 1950s through the 1970s. Immigration to the United States from Greece peaked between the 1950s and 1970.After the 1981 admission of Greece to theEuropean Union,annual U.S. immigration numbers fell to less than 2,000. In recent years, Greek immigration to the United States has been minimal; in fact, net migration has been towards Greece. Over 72,000 U.S. citizens currently live in Greece (1999); most of them are Greek Americans.

The predominant religion among Greeks and Greek Americans isGreek Orthodox Christianity.There are also a number of Americans who descend fromGreece's smallerSephardicandRomanioteJewishcommunities.

21st century

In the aftermath of theGreek financial crisis,there has been a resurgence ofGreek immigrationto New York City since 2010, accelerating in 2015, and centered upon the traditional Greek enclave ofAstoria, Queens.According toThe New York Times,this new wave of Greek migration to New York City is not being driven as much by opportunities in New York City as it is by a lack of economic options in Greece itself.In December 2022, the $85 million, newly rebuiltSt. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Churchopened inLower Manhattan,21 years after being destroyed in theSeptember 11 attacks.

Demographics

Number of Greek Americans

Year	Number
1980	959,856
1990	1,110,373
2000	1,153,307
2010	1,316,074
2020}	1,373,622

Distributionof Greek Americans according to the2000 census

TheNew York City Metropolitan Area,includingLong Island,New York,andBergen County,New Jersey,is home to the largest Greek population in the United States.

U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bushwelcomes Archbishop Demetrios to the White House to celebrate Greek Independence Day and to recognize the contributions of Greek-Americans to American culture in March 2007

Population by state

Population by state according to the 2011-2015American Community Survey.

1. New York–170,637
2. California–134,680
3. Illinois–99,509
4. Florida–90,647
5. Massachusetts–83,701
6. New Jersey–63,940
7. Pennsylvania–62,168
8. Ohio–54,614
9. Texas–47,622
10. Michigan–42,711
11. Maryland–33,733
12. Virginia–33,062
13. Connecticut–30,304
14. North Carolina–26,877
15. Washington–25,665
16. Indiana–23,993
17. Arizona–21,742
18. Colorado–20,239
19. Georgia–19,519
20. New Hampshire–18,434
21. Wisconsin–16,386
22. Missouri–15,920
23. Utah–14,088
24. Oregon–13,847
25. South Carolina–13,552
26. Nevada–11,977
27. Minnesota–11,782
28. Tennessee–11,345
29. Alabama–8,081
30. Rhode Island–7,485
31. Maine–7,164
32. Kentucky–6,887
33. Louisiana–6,636
34. Iowa–6,415
35. Kansas–5,315
36. Oklahoma–5,261
37. West Virginia–4,722
38. New Mexico–4,110
39. Idaho–3,869
40. Delaware–3,851
41. Nebraska–3,840
42. Arkansas–3,082
43. Montana–3,062
44. Mississippi–3,023
45. Vermont–2,987
46. Hawaii–2,479
47. District of Columbia–2,139
48. Alaska–2,129
49. Wyoming–1,701
50. South Dakota–1,180
51. North Dakota–690

Largest communities

Greek-American communities in the U.S. according to the 5 Year Estimates of the People Reporting Ancestry data (2020American Community Survey):

United States by Ancestry: 1,249,194
United States by Country of Birth: 124,428

Top CSAs by Ancestry:

1. New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA CSA:187,255
2. Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-RI-NH CSA:95,594
3. Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI CSA:89,468
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA CSA:52,416
5. Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA CSA:48,597
6. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA CSA:40,277
7. Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD CSA:36,432
8. Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor, MI CSA:31,547
9. Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL CSA:23,725

Top CSAs by Country of Birth:

1. New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA CSA:37,225
2. Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI CSA:12,070
3. Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-RI-NH CSA:10,843
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA CSA:5,484
5. Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA CSA:5,016
6. Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD CSA:5,014
7. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA CSA:3,424
8. Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL CSA:2,711
9. Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor, MI CSA:2,337

Top MSAs by Ancestry:

1. New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA:159,180
2. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI:87,864
3. Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-RI-NH:65,041
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA:39,163
5. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD:30,728
6. Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA:28,450
7. Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor, MI:26,290
8. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL:24,522
9. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA:23,266
10. Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL CSA:20,545

Top MSAs by Country of Birth:

1. New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA:32,801
2. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI:12,031
3. Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-RI-NH:7,807
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA:4,512
5. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD:4,347
6. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL:3,969
7. Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA:3,101
8. Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL:2,602
9. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk-Danbury, CT:2,302
10. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA:2,091
11. Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor, MI:2,076

Top States by Ancestry:

1. New York:143,481
2. California:129,127
3. Illinois:91,086
4. Florida:89,658
5. Massachusetts:76,317
6. New Jersey:59,665
7. Pennsylvania:59,477
8. Ohio:53,057
9. Texas:48,697
10. Michigan:44,042

Top States by Country of Birth:

1. New York:29,017
2. Illinois:12,031
3. California:10,742
4. Massachusetts:9,705
5. Florida:9,565
6. New Jersey:8,872
7. Pennsylvania:5,865
8. Connecticut:4,074
9. Texas:3,965
10. Maryland:3,312

Communities by percentage of people of Greek ancestry

The U.S. communities with the highest percentage of people claiming Greek ancestry are:

1. Tarpon Springs, Florida10.4%
2. Campbell, Ohio9.30%
3. Lincolnwood, Illinois7.60%
4. Plandome Manor, New York7.50%
5. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey7.20%
6. Allenwood, New Jersey6.60%
7. South Barrington, Illinois6.00%
8. Palos Hills, Illinois5.40%
9. Nahant, Massachusetts5.30%
10. Alpine, New Jersey;Holiday, Florida;andMunsey Park, New York5.20%
11. East Marion, New York5.00%
12. Grosse Pointe Shores, MichiganandGrosse Pointe Township, Michigan;Palos Park, Illinois;andUpper Brookville, New York4.90%
13. Harbor Isle, New York4.70%
14. Lake Dalecarlia, Indiana4.50%
15. Barnum Island, New York4.40%
16. Peabody, Massachusetts4.30%
17. Livingston Manor, New YorkandUniversity Gardens, New York4.20%
18. Oak Brook, Illinois4.00%
19. Dracut, Massachusetts3.90%
20. Harwood Heights, IllinoisandOyster Bay Cove, New York3.80%
21. Fort Lee, New Jersey;Hiller, Pennsylvania;Ipswich, Massachusetts;Long Grove, Illinois;Oakhurst, New Jersey;andYorkville, Ohio3.70%
22. Broomall, Pennsylvania;Garden City South, New York;Norwood Park, Chicago, Illinois(neighborhood); andPlandome, New York3.60%
23. Flower Hill, New York;Manhasset, New York;Monte Sereno, California;Norridge, Illinois;Palisades Park, New Jersey;Palos Township, IL;andWindham, New York3.50%
24. Morton Grove, Illinois;Terryville, New York;andWellington, Utah3.40%
25. Banks Township, PA(Carbon County, PA);Harmony, Pennsylvania(Beaver County, PA);Plandome Heights, New York;andWatertown, Massachusetts3.30%
26. Niles, IllinoisandNiles Township, Illinois3.20%
27. Groveland, Massachusetts3.10%
28. Albertson, New York;Caroline, New York;Graeagle, California;Lynnfield, Massachusetts;Marple Township, Pennsylvania;andStanhope, New Jersey3.00%
29. Foster Township, Pennsylvania;Manhasset Hills, New York;West Falmouth, Massachusetts;Winfield, Indiana;andWorth Township, Indiana(Boone County, IN) 2.90%

Communities by percentage of those born in Greece

Greektown, Detroit

The U.S. communities with the largest percentage of residents born in Greece are:

Greek speakers in the U.S.
Year	Speakers
1910a	118,379
1920a	174,658
1930a	189,066
1940a	165,220
1960a	180,781
1970a	193,745
1980	401,443
1990	388,260
2000	365,436
2011	304,928
2019	264,066
^aForeign-born population only

1. Horse Heaven, Washington3.8%
2. Tarpon Springs, Florida3.2%
3. Palos Hills, Illinois3.1%
4. Harbor Isle, New York3.1%
5. Campbell, Ohio3.1%
6. Lincolnwood, Illinois2.7%
7. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey2.5%
8. Bedford Park, Illinois2.3%
9. Twin Lakes, Florida2.3%
10. Holiday, Florida2.1%
11. Great Neck Gardens, New York2.1%
12. Norridge, Illinois2.0%
13. Palos Park, Illinois1.9%
14. Barnum Island, New York1.9%
15. Munsey Park, New York1.8%
16. Foxfield, Colorado1.7%
17. Cedar Glen West, New Jersey1.7%
18. Raynham Center, Massachusetts1.6%
19. Broomall, Pennsylvania1.6%
20. Flower Hill, New York1.6%
21. Alpine, New Jersey1.6%
22. Millbourne, Pennsylvania1.6%
23. Niles, Illinois1.6%
24. Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan1.6%
25. East Marion, New York1.6%
26. West Falmouth, Massachusetts1.6%
27. Golden Triangle, New Jersey1.5%
28. Palisades Park, New Jersey1.5%
29. Garden City South, New York1.5%
30. Harwood Heights, Illinois1.5%
31. Watertown, Massachusetts1.5%
32. Morton Grove, Illinois1.5%
33. East Ithaca, New York1.4%
34. Fort Lee, New Jersey1.4%
35. Saddle Rock, New York1.4%
36. Oakhurst, New Jersey1.4%
37. Plandome Manor, New York1.3%
38. White Lake, North Carolina1.3%
39. Old Brookville, New York1.2%
40. Plandome Heights, New York1.2%
41. South Barrington, Illinois1.2%
42. North Lakeville, Massachusetts1.2%
43. Terryville, New York1.2%
44. Jefferson, West Virginia1.2%
45. Ridgefield, New Jersey1.2%
46. East Norwich, New York1.2%
47. Skokie, Illinois1.1%
48. Arlington Heights, Pennsylvania1.1%
49. Pomona, New York1.1%
50. Spring House, Pennsylvania1.1%
51. Hickory Hills, Illinois1.1%
52. Cliffside Park, New Jersey1.1%
53. Friendship Village, Maryland1.1%
54. Kingsville, Maryland1.1%
55. Arlington, Massachusetts1.1%
56. Mount Prospect, Illinois1.1%
57. Midland Park, New Jersey1.0%
58. Lake Dalecarlia, Indiana1.0%
59. Pinedale, Wyoming1.0%
60. Glenview, Illinois1.0%
61. Dunn Loring, Virginia1.0%
62. West Kennebunk, Maine1.0%
63. Shokan, New York1.0%
64. Beacon Square, Florida1.0%
65. Peabody, Massachusetts1.0%
66. Dedham, Massachusetts1.0%
67. North Key Largo, Florida1.0%
68. Hillside, New York1.0%
69. Orland Park, Illinois1.0%
70. Eddystone, Pennsylvania1.0%
71. South Hempstead, New York1.0%
72. Redington Beach, Florida1.0%
73. Hillsmere Shores, Maryland1.0%

Greek-born population

Greek-born population in the U.S. since 2010 (ACS 1 Tear Estimates):

Year	Number
2010	135,639
2011	138,269
2012	134,956
2013	137,084
2014	136,906
2015	141,325
2016	135,484
2017	130,967
2018	125,699
2019	119,571

Print media

The front page ofAtlantis,Tuesday, November 14, 1972

TheAtlantis(1894–1973) was the first successfulGreek-languagedaily newspaper published in theUnited States.The newspaper was founded in 1894 by Solon J. and Demetrius J. Vlasto, descendants of the Greek noble family,Vlasto.The paper was headed by a member of the Vlasto family until it closed in 1973. Published inNew York City,it had a national circulation and influence.Atlantissupported theroyalistfaction in Greek politics until the mid-1960s.Atlantiseditorial themes included naturalization, war relief, Greek-American business interests, and Greek religious unity.

As of 2020,Ethnikos Kyrix(Greek:Εθνικός Κήρυξ,1915–) is the only Greek-language daily publication based in the United States. Headquartered in New York City, its articles focus on the Greek diaspora in the United States as well as current events in Greece and Cyprus. In contrast to its competitorAtlantis,Ethnikos Kyrixhistorically supported liberal causes in Greece and America, including the progressive forces ofEleftherios Venizelosin Greece and theNew Dealstateside.A companion weekly editionThe National Herald(1997–) is in circulation and features similar content presented in English.TheGreek Orthodox Archdiocese of Americapublishes the monthlyOrthodox Observer(1934–) in both Greek and English for news and information regarding the Greek Orthodox Church as a whole, as well as its American parishes.

In popular culture

• Greek American novelistJeffrey Eugenideswon the 2003Pulitzer Prizefor his novelMiddlesex,about a Greek American family inDetroit.
• In 1967,Academy Award-winning film-directorElia Kazanpublished anovel,The Arrangement: A Novel,about a conflicted Greek American living a double life as an advertising executive and muckraking journalist. Kazan, who died in September 2003, was a Greek American.
• The popular 1970s showKojak,featuredTelly Savalasas Greek American police detective Theo Kojak, and his brotherGeorgeas detective Stavros. Kojak was originally supposed to bePolish(hence the name), but this was changed to match Savalas' profile.
• The 2002comedyfilmMy Big Fat Greek Weddingportrayed the love story of a Greek American woman (portrayed byGreek CanadianNia Vardalos) and a non-Greek American man (specifically aWhite Anglo-Saxon Protestant). It also examines the protagonist's troubled love/hate relationship with her cultural heritage and value system. The movie spawned an unsuccessfulTV series,My Big Fat Greek Life.The sequel,My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,was released in March 2016.
• The Famous Teddy Zwas an acclaimed but short-lived TV series about a fictional talent agent named Teddy Zakalakis, portrayed byJon Cryer.
• The TV seriesFull Housewas about a family that included Greek AmericanUncle Jesse Katsopolis,portrayed by Greek American actorJohn Stamos.Jesse's surname was changed from Cochran to Katsopolis after the first season because Stamos wanted to portray his Greek American heritage. Jesse's Greek dad was also a recurring character. Stamos reprises the role of Jesse in the 2016 sequel sitcom,Fuller House.
• TheOlympia Cafewas a recurring sketch in the early years ofSaturday Night Live.More recently,Tina Feyhas often joked about her Greek heritage on the show.
• Tom's Restaurant,a Greek American owned business, has become one of the symbols of urban New York life.
• Elektra Natchiosis aMarvel Comicssuperhero,portrayed byJennifer Garnerin the 2003 movieDaredeviland the 2005 movieElektra.Élodie Yungportrays the character in the second season of the Netflix seriesDaredevil,which debuted in 2016.
• Several entertainers and other performing artists includingJohnny Otis,Tina Fey,Kelly Clarkson,Alexander Frey,John Aniston,Jennifer Aniston,Melina Kanakaredes,Zach Galifianakis,Tommy Lee,Demetri Martin,Paul Cavonis,Criss Angel,Elias Koteas,Amy Sedaris,Andy Milonakis,Art AlexakisandBilly Zaneare of Greek descent.
• Writer, performer and radio-commentatorDavid Sedarissatirizes growing up in a Greek American household insuburbanNorth Carolinain several of his essays.
• Athletes such asPete Sampras,Harry Agganis,Chris Chelios,Dean Karnazes,Alex Karras,Alexi Lalas,Dave Batista,Greg Louganis,Nick Markakis,Kurt Rambis,Tom PappasandJim Londosare of Greek descent.
• New Greek Television Inc.,NGTV on Time Warner Cable a rebranding of the 25 year old Greek Television Channel of New York

Greek nationality

See also:Greek nationality law

Los AngelesGreek Festival

Any person who isethnically Greekbornoutside of Greecemay become a Greek citizen throughnaturalizationby proving that a parent or grandparent was born as a national of Greece. The Greek ancestor'sbirth certificateandmarriage certificateare required, along with the applicant's birth certificate and the birth certificates of allgenerationsin between until the relation between the applicant and the person with Greek citizenship is proven.

Organizations

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Associationheadquarters inWashington, D.C.

The newNational Hellenic Museum,Chicago

There are hundreds of regional, religious and professional Greek American organizations. Some of the largest and most notable include:

• TheAmerican Hellenic Educational Progressive Association(AHEPA) is the largest community organization of Greek Americans. It was founded inAtlanta,Georgia in 1922 to counter the anti-Greek attacks by theKu Klux Klanduring that time period. Its current membership exceeds 28,000. 385 active chapters are located in the United States with additional chapters in Canada, and Europe. AHEPA maintains a full-time staff at the AHEPA Global Headquarters located in Washington, DC www.ahepa.org
• TheGreek Orthodox Archdiocese of Americais the religious organization most closely associated with the Greek American community. It was established in 1921, and is under the leadership of theEcumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.The church operates theGreek Orthodox Youth of America,the largest Orthodox Christian youth group in the United States.
• The American Hellenic Institute, anadvocacy groupfor Greek Americans, and its lobbying arm, theAmerican Hellenic Institute Public Affairs Committee.
• The Next Generation Initiative,a foundation that works with prominent Greek American leaders and executives to offer educational opportunities such asinternshipsand master classes through a network of more than 5,500 Greek American students and 2,500 professors on 200+ college campuses.
• TheCouncil of Hellenes Abroadis a Greek government sponsored umbrella organization for Greek immigrant organizations worldwide.
• TheHellenic Society Paideiahas been promoting Hellenism and Orthodoxy since 1977 by placing Greek and Byzantium classes in high schools and universities, offering study abroad programs to Greece year round, and with various building projects throughout the country. Anywhere from 200 to 500 students travel to Greece with Paideia per year. Information specifically for the study abroad programs can be found atwww.hellenicstudiespaideia.orgCurrently "Paideia" is constructing a Classical Greek Amphitheater at the University of Connecticut and a Center for Hellenic Studies at the University of Rhode Island.
• The National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA)is the independent network of the Hellenic Student Associations (HSAs) across the United States. By linking all the Greek, Greek-American and Cypriot students of the American educational institutions, the organization can promote ideas and projects and enrich the Hellenic spirit on campuses nationwide.
• Manytopika somatéa(local councils) or clubs representing the local regional homeland of Greeks in America. Among the scores of such clubs, larger "umbrella" organizations include the Pan Macedonian Association (one example is the Drosopigi Society, in Rochester, New York, hailing from the village of Drosopigi in Northern Greece outside of the city of Florina) the Panepirotic Federation, the Pan Cretan Association, thePan-Icarian Brotherhood,the Pan Pontian Federation of U.S.A-Canada, the Chios Societies of America & Canada, the Cyprus Federation of America, the Pan-Laconian Federation of the USA & Canada, the Pan-Messinian Federation of the USA & Canada, the Pan-Arcadian Federation of America and several associations of refugees from areas in the former Ottoman territories.
• TheNational Hellenic MuseuminGreektown, Chicago

Notable people

Further information:List of Greek Americans

See also

• Greek diaspora
• Grecian Echoes
• Greek Festival
• Greece–United States relations

Further reading

• Callinicos, Constance.American Aphrodite: Becoming Female in Greek America(Pella, 1990).
• Georgakas, Dan.My Detroit: Growing Up Greek and American in Motor City(Pella, 2006). "
• Georgiou, Leonidas V., "Conversations with F.D.R. at his AHEPA Initiation: Frigates, Battleships, Espionage and a Sentimental Bond with Greece, "(Knollwood Press, 2019). Available through Abebooks.com.
• Jurgens, Jane. "Greek Americans."Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America,edited by Thomas Riggs, (3rd ed., vol. 2, Gale, 2014), pp. 237–253.Online
• Jusdanis, Gregory. "Greek Americans and the diaspora."Diaspora: a journal of transnational studies1#2 (1991): 209–223.Excerpt
• Kunkelman, Gary.The Religion of Ethnicity: Belief and Belonging in a Greek-American Community(Garland, 1990).
• Moskos, Peter C.Greek Americans: struggle and success(Routledge, 2017).
• Orfanos, Spyros D.Reading Greek America: Studies in the Experience of Greeks in the United States(Pella, 2002).
• Rouvelas, Marilyn.A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America(Attica, 1993).
• Scourby, Alice. "Three generations of Greek Americans: A study in ethnicity."International Migration Review14.1 (1980): 43–52.Online
• Schultz, Sandra L. "Adjusting Marriage Tradition: Greeks to Greek-Americans."Journal of Comparative Family Studies12.2 (1981): 205–218.

External links

Embassy and Consulates

• Embassy
• Consulates in the United States of America

Charitable organizations

• The Hellenic Initiative
• AHEPA home page-American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association
• The Hellenic Society "Paideia"
• Greek America Foundation
• National Hellenic Society
• Onassis Foundation (USA)
• Hellenic Times Scholarship FundArchivedNovember 4, 2016, at theWayback Machine

Libraries and museums

• National Hellenic Museum
• Tsakopoulos Hellenic Collection at California State University, Sacramento
• Basil J. Vlavianos manuscript collection at California State University, Sacramento
• The Museum of Greek Culture atThe New England Carousel Museumconstructed byThe Hellenic Society Paideiahousing a Macedonia exhibit.

Trade organizations

• Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce
• Greek-American Chamber of Commerce
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Affiliate trade organizations

• Hellenic Canadian Board of Trade
• Hellenic Canadian Lawyers Association
• Hellenic-Argentine Chamber of Industry and Commerce (C.I.C.H.A.)

Websites

• Famous Greek-Americans- A comprehensive list of famous Greeks and Greek Americans.