How the 1973 Athens Polytechnic uprising redefined Greece’s fight for democracy
The Athens Polytechnic uprising of November 1973 remains a defining moment in Greek history. It began as a spontaneous, politically unaligned protest against the military junta. Over the years, its legacy has faced both appropriation and denial from various political factions. The uprising erupted without party direction, driven by students, workers, and ordinary citizens. Participants organised themselves into protest blocks based on unions, neighbourhoods, schools, and universities—not under political banners. Their demands went beyond restoring democracy; they sought democratic institutions, freedoms, and rights that pre-dictatorship Greece had long denied. The Athens Polytechnic uprising still resonates as a raw, unfiltered demand for change. Its symbols and ideals persist, despite decades of political manipulation and distortion. The struggle over its legacy underscores its lasting significance in Greece’s fight for democracy and justice.
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