1974
AHI Founded
In 1974, AHI was founded by Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Gene Rossides
The same year, AHI pushed an embargo of U.S. weapons to Turkey through Congress
AHI led an initiative to place an embargo on U.S. weapon sales to Turkey after they illegally invaded and occupied the Republic of Cyprus. AHI achieved this crucially important policy by successfully urging Congress to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Later, AHI initiated $25 million in annual humanitarian aid to the Republic of Cyprus
AHI continued its work to promote US intervention in the illegal invasion and occupation of the Republic of Cyprus by championing a movement in Congress to provide $25 million in annual humanitarian aid.
Our History
1987
Nick Lariagkis joins AHI
Nick Larigakis joined AHI in 1989, and has since served many roles before becoming President & CEO of the organizaation. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the College of New Jersey, and did post graduate work in International Affairs at American University. For his work in support of Hellenism, Mr. Larigakis has been honored with the 1995 Hermes Expo International Award, the 2007 Hellenic News of America Award, the 2008 Society of the Argonauts Award, and by the Greek Independence Day Committee of Tarpon Springs, FL, where he served as Honorary Grand Marshall of the 2001 and 2009 parades.
1989
AHI Corresponds on Cyprus Issue with Future President Biden
In a statement written to the American Hellenic Institute in 1989, future President Joe Biden, then U.S. Senator, wrote:
“We cannot lose sight of the fact that the rights of Greek Cypriots have been trampled upon, and we must ensure that their claims to ancestral land and property seized during the 1974 invasion are not compromised. Finally, we must send a signal to Turkey that until it has removed every last soldier from Cyprus, it will never be recognized as a full member of the international community.”
1993
AHI Becomes First organization to Sponsor a Congressional delegation to Greece
In 1993, the American Hellenic Institute became the first organization to sponsor a Congressional Delegation to Greece. This historical milestone helped improve US-Greece relations and was very well received by the Greek American community.
1994
AHI HQ moves to Hellenic House
Thanks to the generosity of Mr. George Spyropoulos of Caracas, the Hellenic House, located at 1220 16th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. just a few blocks away from the White House, became the new permanent headquarters of AHI and its affiliates on October 1, 1994. Mr. Spyropoulos contributed $227,000, or thirty percent of the cost of the building. In 2004, the remainder of Hellenic House’s mortgage was paid off in full, signifying a new chapter for AHI characterized by new opportunities for growth and expansion of programs in the future.
2009
AHIF begins College Student Foreign Policy Trip
The American Hellenic Institute Foundation College Student Foreign Policy Study Trip to Greece and Cyprus is aimed to help Greek and Cypriot American college students better understand the core foreign policy issues important to the Greek American community.
Prior to their departure, students will meet in our nation’s capital, Washington, to learn more about these policies by attending meetings and briefings.
While in Greece and Cyprus, the students will continue to attend briefings and meets with officials at the American embassies, various ministries, the Hellenic Armed Forces, the National Guard of Cyprus, members of the Hellenic Parliament and Republic of Cyprus House of Representatives, religious leaders, think-tanks, and members of academia and the private sector.
2024
AHI Celebrates 50th Anniversary
2024 marks 50 years of our work to promote the interests of the United States in Greece, Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Europe, along with advocating issues important to the Greek American community.
With our newsletters, conferences, seminars, publications, and social media, we had served as a resource to policy makers, community leaders, and our network of supporters for five decades, providing them with the information necessary for implementing and executing effective foreign policy.