Under sunny blue skies that hinted an air of spring, thousands lined both sides of Jean-Talon Street waving blue and white flags Sunday March 25 to remember the day Greeks revolted towards becoming an independent country from the Ottoman Empire in 1821.

This annual celebration of Hellenic identity, though which all Hellenes express and promote their culture and achievements to the world, commemorates the 197th anniversary of Greece’s independence after 400 years of Turkish Ottoman rule, and also is a day of Greek-Canadian pride.

The Greek Independence Day Parade has become a Montreal City traditional event for more than 40 years that offers an afternoon of Hellenic culture, pride and inspiration for all ages.

Watch video of Montreal’s Greek Independence Day parade: