November 17 1973. 2:58 in the morning. A tank ends the most glorious days of post war Greece by smashing through the gate of Athens Polytechnic.
For three days students and workers stood against the tyranny of the CIA supported military Junta that had been tormenting Greece since 1967. University students started it all by occypying the Polytechnic school in Athens, demanding freedom. By 11/16, hundreds of thousands of people were on the streets. The dictatorship had tried since the summer to masquerade into a faux-democracy, but the truth could not be hidden. With the threat of a general strike, demonstrations and marches against government buildings, the Colonels in power showed their true face. And the tanks roamed the streets again.
The true number of the dead of that night is still unknown. 27 dead are officially recognised as linked to the events, shot by snipers, chocked by tear-gas or simply trampled by the tanks. But rumours about dozens more, "accidents" that occured in the next few days, are still going. From little children, a six year old elementary student, to the elderly, like a 70-year old retired doctor that tried to help the wounded, the army and the police made no discrimination.
And the day became history. Taught to every child in school. That the blood of the young was shed for democracy. For freedom. For national independance. The rebellion failed. But in the same time, succeeded.
Less than a year later, the dictators fell, leaving a wrecked economy, a lost war and a nation deeply scarred.
31 years later, we still remember. We will never forget and we shall never forgive.
Teach me of the Breathe and BE
Hox Rules
For three days students and workers stood against the tyranny of the CIA supported military Junta that had been tormenting Greece since 1967. University students started it all by occypying the Polytechnic school in Athens, demanding freedom. By 11/16, hundreds of thousands of people were on the streets. The dictatorship had tried since the summer to masquerade into a faux-democracy, but the truth could not be hidden. With the threat of a general strike, demonstrations and marches against government buildings, the Colonels in power showed their true face. And the tanks roamed the streets again.
The true number of the dead of that night is still unknown. 27 dead are officially recognised as linked to the events, shot by snipers, chocked by tear-gas or simply trampled by the tanks. But rumours about dozens more, "accidents" that occured in the next few days, are still going. From little children, a six year old elementary student, to the elderly, like a 70-year old retired doctor that tried to help the wounded, the army and the police made no discrimination.
And the day became history. Taught to every child in school. That the blood of the young was shed for democracy. For freedom. For national independance. The rebellion failed. But in the same time, succeeded.
Less than a year later, the dictators fell, leaving a wrecked economy, a lost war and a nation deeply scarred.
31 years later, we still remember. We will never forget and we shall never forgive.
Teach me of the Breathe and BE
Hox Rules

