Date: September 26, 1930
Location: Northampton, MA
(Original document available here)
The Greek people are celebrating the completion of a century of independence. One hundred years ago they were relieved of Asiatic domination and enabled to resume their rightful place as a European nation. The interest of the United States in their struggle for freedom was manifested by a great speech in the House of Representatives by Daniel Webster.
The whole of Western civilization will join in the spirit of this celebration because of the vast influence of ancient Greece upon our modern life. From that source we drew our conception of liberty. In art the Greeks have never been surpassed. They remain supreme in architecture, sculpture and literature. After all the centuries, their names lead in poetry, oratory and philosophy. Even the science of today exists because their philosophers taught men how to use their minds. Down through the ages liberal culture has had for its foundation a study of Greek thought. This little nation nurtured by the mountains and the sea, revealed the proper relation of man to man. Because of the intellectual service they have rendered, the world will rejoice in the revival and prosperity of the Greeks.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge Says: Dispatches Written by Former-President Coolidge and Syndicated to Newspapers in 1930-1931 (Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation)
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Robert Manchester who prepared this document for digital publication.