Dear Friends, On Vidovdan, the 28th of June, 2014 we will celebrate two hundred (200) years since the arrival of the first person of Serbian descent to America. The festivities will take place in the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania where the first Serbian landed in 1814. This will be an opportunity to remember and honor a long tradition of Serbian presence in America and Serbian accomplishments and contributions to the development of the American society. The first Serb who set his foot on the American continent was Djordje Shagic (a.k.a. Judge George Fisher) from Stoni Beograd near Budapest. Shagich was the founder of the first Serbian society, several churches and a first Masonic lodge in Mexico City. In the second half of the 19h century Serbs settled in large numbers in many different parts of America: from Pennsylvania to Mississippi to Montana to California. An ethnic group that started as laborers and miners grew over several generations to give to the world renowned inventors, scientists, business leaders, artists, and athletes. In science: Nikola Tesla and Mihailo Pupin; in economy and business:Michael Djordjevic, Alex Macheski, Branko Tupanjac; in politics, culture, and sports: Helen Delic Bentley, George Vojinovic, Walter Bogdanich, Greg Popovich, Steve Teshich, Peter Bogdanovich, Karl Malden, Vlade Divac, Predrag Stojakovic, Pete Maravich, Greg Popovich, Milorad Chavich, Marina Abramovic, Charles Simic, Emir Kusturica. In addition, many war veterans have been awarded the highest military honors: Rade Grbich, Mitch Paige, John Minic, Batch Verich, George Fisher. The above mentioned people are only a small percentage of many distinguished Serbian Americans who have left and are still leaving invaluable contributions to the American and world economy, politics, culture, education, and sports. Serbs were fateful allies with the U.S. in WWI. 15,000 American Serbs volunteered in WWI to fight the enemy in the Balkans. Moved by the sacrifices of the Serbian people, President Woodrow Wilson said: “While their territory has been devastated and their homes despoiled, the spirit of the Serbian people has not been broken. Though overwhelmed by superior forces, their love of freedom remains unabated. Brutal force has left unaffected their firm determination to sacrifice everything for liberty and independence.” Due to a number of wars that plagued the Balkans in the last 100 years, many new immigrants found their home in the U.S. Through all of the trials and tribulations, both in the Balkans and world-wide, it was the Serbian Orthodox Church that played a pivotal role in the preservation of the Serbian cultural and religious heritage. With this proclamation, we are inviting all people of good will, Serbs and friends of Serbs, organizations and Church communities throughout North America to send their representatives to this historical Vidovdan 2014 celebration of Serbian past, present, and future in America. The 200 Year Celebration Organizing Committee
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 00:30:13 +0000
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