Overview:

The Harry Truman Statue In Greece is a bronze monument located in the Plaka district of Athens, Greece. The statue was erected in 1966 in honour of the former President of the United States, Harry S. Truman. It was designed by the Greek sculptor Lambros Katsonis, commissioned by then-President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. The statue shows Truman holding a dove, with a globe at his feet. The inscription reads: “In gratitude for his friendship to Greece. He lives in history.” The statue serves as a reminder of Truman's supportive role in the economic recovery of Greece after the end of World War II. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Greece
Prominent Features:

The Harry Truman statue in Greece is one of the most prominent features of the country. The statue is located in the city of Chania, on the island of Crete. It is a monumental bronze statue, over 6 meters high, built in 2001 to commemorate the achievements of the former US President Harry Truman. The statue represents Harry Truman in a traditional Greek costume and is set against the backdrop of Greece's beautiful Mediterranean landscape. It stands as a permanent reminder of the strong ties between the United States and Greece. The statue is a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and was unveiled jointly by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Greece. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Greece.

History:

The Harry S. Truman statue in Greece was first announced in August 2001 by American Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns. The announcement came on the heels of a US$90,000 donation from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States to the municipality of Iniousses, the Greek island where Truman served as a naval officer for two years following World War I. The statue was sculpted by local artist Spiros Papaloukas and unveiled in a ceremony on October 20, 2003. At the time of the unveiling, the CIA director George J. Tenet said that Truman “was instrumental in establishing strong and enduring friendships between Greece and the United States.” President of Greece Costis Stephanopoulos and numerous other leaders around the globe paid their respects to the late president as well. The statue is a bronze, semi-abstract depiction of Truman mounted on a granite base, holding an olive tree branch and surrounded by a pool of water. It is intended to symbolize the friendship and lasting diplomatic relationship between the United States and Greece, and to honor Truman’s contribution to both countries. Today, the Harry S. Truman statue serves as a popular tourist destination on the Greek island of Iniousses. The nearby Truman Museum is home to a small exhibition of the history behind the statue and Truman’s time stationed on the island. In 2004, the Truman Statue in Greece was named an International Monument of Peace and Friendship by the International Union of Architects. Visit one of the famous monuments of Greece with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Harry Truman Statue in Greece was erected in 2000. Located in Thessaloniki’s waterfront, the monument honors the contribution of the former US president to the Greek Civil War in the 1940s. 2. The statue was created by the Greek sculptor Costas Varotsos and is made of bronze. 3. It stands approximately 16 feet tall and is a reminder of the friendship between US presidents and the Greek people. 4. Thanks to Truman’s support, Greece was able to successfully gain independence from the Axis powers during World War II, and the statue is seen as a symbol of that victory. 5. The monument regularly attracts curious travelers from around the world, interested in seeing the symbol of thanks and freedom created to honor former US President, Harry Truman. One of the historical monuments of Greece, it tells the story of a bygone era