AHEPA’s 104th Supreme Convention celebrating America during its 250th Anniversary kicked off in earnest on Sunday, July 26, 2026. As AHEPA opened for business, it chose its FOUNDERS DAY to kick off the epic week ahead.
On this date in 1922, eight visionary Greek immigrants came together in a fraternal bond to form the Order of AHEPA in Atlanta, Georgia, to combat discrimination, bigotry, and intolerance; and to help Greek immigrants assimilate into the mainstream of American society with an emphasis on education and philanthropy, fostering American patriotism, and practicing good citizenship. Since that initial gathering 104 years ago, AHEPA has helped countless Greek Americans pursue and fulfill the American Dream.
Throughout our history, AHEPA has served as a vital vehicle for the progressive development and emergence of Americans of Greek descent into every facet of society — an integral piece of the American mosaic. Founder’s Day also celebrates AHEPA’s principles as now proclaimed by a Global AHEPA.
The morning brought the early birds to AHEPA’s Cooley Anemia Walk to the Art Museum.Organized by Georgia Chlechos and Tim Vlassopoulos, the host District Governors, this event brought out participants that walked towards and gathered on the famous Rocky steps, raising money for Cooley’s Anemia.
The next order of business was a special wreath laying ceremony by both AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope. Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson, Daughters Grand President Antoinette Marousis Zachariades and their respective lodges were honored to kick off the festivities. They placed special red, white and blue wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (the original Revolutionary Soldier) at Washington Square in Philadelphia.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies within Washington Square, one of the five public parks drawn up by William Penn in his 1682 blueprint for Philadelphia. Initially a potter’s field, by 1776 it was jolted by the first Revolutionary War casualties. Many bodies of even British soldiers are interred at Washington Square.
After the square stopped functioning as a cemetery, a beautifying campaign was undertaken. In 1825, the Square was renamed in honor of George Washington, commander of many of the troops buried within it.
The Washington Square Planning Committee decided to erect a memorial that honored both George Washington and an unknown soldier from the Revolutionary War. Archeologists and historians were brought in to ensure the remains were those of an American soldier.
The tomb of the Unknown Soldier itself bears the words: “Beneath this stone rests a soldier of Washington’s army who died to give you liberty.” Etched in stone are many references from Washington’s Farewell Address. An eternal flame flickers in front of a wall bearing a bronze sculpture of George Washington. Washington’s eyes gaze eternally upon nearby Independence Hall.
Thereafter, the early arrivals joined in for a unique tour of Philadelphia’s sites critical to the support of Greek Independence.. These included the first Greek arhcetecture in the nation, the First and Second National Banks of the United States, churches where collections were made supporting the Greek War Relief and Penn’s Landing, site of the Tontine and the Levant’s voyages to Greece with provisions for the Greek people and to assist the Greek War of Independence.
The end of the day will bring AHEPA back to the present day with a fitting American conclusion to the AHEPA Founders Day kickoff with a tribute to the American baseball pasttime as the Phillies hosted the Yankees.