Overview
The term “Washington Greek” refers to the Greek-American community in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The community has a long and rich history, dating back to the early 1900s. Today, it is one of the largest and most vibrant Greek-American communities in the United States.
History
The first Greek immigrants arrived in the Washington, D.C. area in the late 1800s. They were mostly from the Peloponnese region of Greece and were seeking economic opportunities. The early Greek immigrants settled in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. and opened businesses such as restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores.
In the early 1900s, the Greek-American community in Washington, D.C. began to grow rapidly. This was due to a number of factors, including the passage of the Immigration Act of 1924, which limited the number of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe. As a result, more Greeks began to immigrate to the United States, and many of them settled in the Washington, D.C. area.
The Greek-American community in Washington, D.C. continued to grow throughout the 20th century. Today, it is estimated that there are over 100,000 Greek Americans living in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The community is concentrated in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., such as Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.
Culture
The Greek-American community in Washington, D.C. is a vibrant and active community. The community has a number of cultural organizations, including the Hellenic Cultural Society of Greater Washington, the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Sophia, and the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. The community also has a number of Greek-American businesses, including restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores.
One of the most important aspects of Greek-American culture is food. The Greek-American community in Washington, D.C. has a number of excellent Greek restaurants. Some of the most popular Greek restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area include Taverna Cretekou, OPA Greek Taverna, and Zorba’s Greek Taverna.
Another important aspect of Greek-American culture is religion. The majority of Greek-Americans are Orthodox Christians. The Greek Orthodox Church is the largest Orthodox Christian denomination in the United States. There are a number of Greek Orthodox churches in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
The Greek-American community in Washington, D.C. also has a number of cultural events throughout the year. Some of the most popular Greek-American cultural events in the Washington, D.C. area include the Greek Independence Day Parade, the Greek Festival, and the Greek Food Festival.
Contributions
The Greek-American community in Washington, D.C. has made significant contributions to the city and the surrounding area. The community has produced a number of successful politicians, business leaders, and artists.
Some of the most notable Greek-Americans from the Washington, D.C. area include:
- Paul Sarbanes, former U.S. Senator from Maryland
- Spiro Agnew, former Vice President of the United States
- Olympia Dukakis, Academy Award-winning actress
- Telly Savalas, actor
- Gus Trikonis, founder of NPR
The Greek-American community in Washington, D.C. is a vital and vibrant part of the city and the surrounding area. The community has made significant contributions to the city and the country.
Conclusion
The Greek-American community in Washington, D.C. is a vibrant and active community. The community has a rich history and has made significant contributions to the city and the country. The Greek-American community in Washington, D.C. is a valuable asset to the city and the nation.