July 1974 was marked by events that finally changed the course of modern Greece. The fall of the seven -year dictatorship, imposed in 1967, came in a period of intense crisis, with the Turkish invasion of Cyprus acting as a catalyst for the collapse of the regime.

The dictatorial regime has already been in decline since 1973. Inflation, student mobilizations and international isolation had undermined its “authority”. The uprising of the Technical University in November 1973 and the subsequent military intervention revealed the vulnerability of the system. Papadopoulos’s overthrow by Ioannides did not bring stability, but led to the devastating decision on a coup in Cyprus.

When the coup against Makarios took place on July 15, 1974, Turkey found the opportunity to invade the island. On July 23, the junta appointed to President F. Gizikis convened an extraordinary meeting of politicians, where it was decided to surrender the country’s government to politicians.

The choice of Constantine Karamanlis as the Prime Minister proved to be decisive. Upon his arrival from Paris on July 24, the Transition began. Thousands of citizens took to the streets to welcome the new leader and celebrate the end of the dictatorship.

The Karamanlis government has undertaken the complex process of democratic rehabilitation. In a short period of time:

• abolished dictatorial legislation

• liberated political prisoners

• announced elections

• prepared the 1975 Constitution

July 24 was established as a day of celebration of the restoration of democracy, symbolizing the return to legality and respect for political freedoms. In the coming years, Greece will face many challenges, but always based on the democratic ideals that came back on that critical day.

Today, 51 years later, this anniversary remains alive in the historical memory of the country. He recalls that democracy is not a given, while the legacy of the Transition is a foundation for the modern Hellenic Republic.