The Restoration of Democracy in Greece

The Restoration of Democracy in Greece is celebrated on July 24th and marks the end of the seven-year military junta that took power on April 21, 1967. This period, commonly referred to as the Regime of the Colonels or the Junta, was characterized by political repression, censorship, and human rights abuses.

History:

• Coup d'état: On April 21, 1967, a group of right-wing army officers led by Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos staged a coup d'état, overthrowing the democratic government.
• Military Rule: The junta established a military dictatorship that suspended political freedoms and instituted a regime of authoritarian rule.
• Resistance and Decline: Over time, resistance to the junta grew both domestically and internationally. Significant events such as the Athens Polytechnic uprising in November 1973 signaled increasing unrest.
• Restoration: On July 23rd, 1974, following a failed coup attempt in Cyprus that was backed by the Greek military regime leading to Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus, the junta collapsed. A transitional government led by Konstantinos Karamanlis navigated the return to civilian rule.
• Democracy Restored: The official restoration of democracy is dated to July 24th, 1974 when democratic governance was reinstated.

Traditions: There are no widespread public traditions associated with this day akin to other national holidays. It is primarily remembered through:

• Speeches and statements from political leaders commemorating the restoration.
• Educational programs and media retrospectives on this period in Greek history.

What People Do: On this day:

• Citizens may reflect on democratic values and freedoms.
• Some may attend political rallies or discussions focused on democracy.
• Media outlets often broadcast documentaries or programs related to the era of dictatorship.

The day is not celebrated with public festivities but serves as an important historical reminder for Greeks about their country's return to democracy after years of military dictatorship.