In partnership with the American-Hellenic Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and the European Art Center in Greece (EUARCE), the Greek Nationality Room's commemoration and celebration of the 250th Anniversary of America unearths previously unknown and underdiscussed facets of its founding. From Revolution to Constitution, Greeks played direct and indirect roles on land and at sea even before 1776.

As we celebrate those unknown Greeks, we also consider the 250th Anniversary of Thomas Paine’s landmark essay “Common Cause”. How ancient Greek thought shaped it, but also how ancient Greek thought tempered it. This synthesis culminated in the Constitution of the United States of America.

With the contribution of distinguished invited guests, this synthesis is discussed, distilled and debated. Is it stable in a modern America facing internal and international challenges?

Last, the distinguished invited guests are asked to consider if and how this synthesis travelled back to a nascent modern Greek state following the Revolutionary War and how the Greek Church acted as the bridge to stabilize the synthesis between the Fire and the Pillar, represented by Paine and Aristotle/Kapodistrias.

With the overarching theme “America 250: The Aegean Arc”, we invite you this October to a first-in-history exploration of the unknown Greeks in the American Revolution, the “Fire” of Paine’s “Common Cause” and what it means to America 250 years lager. Additionally, how Paine and Aristotle were synthesized through the stabilizing bridge of the Church in Greece and how this can help nurture a more perfect American union.