25th of March: the Independence of Greece
This is an anniversary of the Greek Revolution against the Turkish occupation which started in 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople and lasted for 400 years. The Greek Revolution of 1821 was the first part of the Greek attempt for its independence which was finally succeeded in 1832 with the declaration of the Hellenic Republic. This day includes celebrations and parades in the entire Greek territory and in many cities abroad where live thousands of Greek expatriates. The greatest parade is the military parade which takes place in the centre of Athens.
28th of October: the historical NO
This day is an anniversary of the historical ‘’NO’’ of Metaxas, the Greek dictator. This was his answer to the Italian invaders during the Second World War. This was a dark period not only for Greece but for the entire world. The Greek-Italian war of 1940 started on the 28th of October until the 23rd of April in 1941. After this, came the German invaders and continued the war. Many of the historians argued that the Greek victory against the Italians (it was also the first victory of the Allies), effected on the final result of the war as forced Germans to postpone their invade in the Soviet Union for the purpose of helping the Italian allies who were losing the battles in Greece. The delayed attack of Germans in Moscow during the hard winter conditions had as a result their defeat. This day also includes parades and the military parade takes place in the centre of Thessaloniki as concurs with the celebration of the patron saint of the city, Saint Demetrius.
17th of November: the Revolt of the Students (Not Official)
From the 21st of April in 1967 until the 23rd of July in 1974, in Greece was the dictatorship (also known as Greek military junta of 1967–1974 or The Regime of the Colonels). The 17th of November was a tragic day and a black page in the Greek history as 24 young people were killed, hundreds were injured and 2.500 were arrested for their attempt for a better education, freedom, democracy and independence, classical and timely values. The entire duration of the dictatorship is stigmatized by imprisonments, tortures and infringement of the human rights. On Wednesday, 17th of November, exploded in Athens rioting and started the Athens Polytechnic uprising. The total lethal result of Junta has never been recorded as many people were killed because they just supported their rights. After the revolution of the young people, on the 25th of November of the same year, the dictatorship fell and the much desirable freedom and democracy was finally replaced.
