On November 14, 1973, the Athens Polytechnic uprising had begun as a massive demonstration of popular rejection of the right-wing Greek military junta of 1967–1974. On the day, the student strike started in the Athens Polytechnic had escalated to an open anti-junta revolt, and ended in bloodshed in the early morning of November 17 after a series of events starting with a tank crashing through the gates of the Polytechnic. Around 40 students were killed by the military forces. Diomidis Komninos (1956–1973), a Greek high school student, was the first casualty of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. He was shot opposite the main gate of the Polytechnic.The student uprising is hailed by many as a valiant act of resistance against the military dictatorship, and therefore as a symbol of resistance to tyranny. The uprising paved way to a series of events that put an abrupt end to the regime’s attempted “liberalisation” process.
Athens Polytechnic uprising of 1973
On the day, the student strike started in the Athens Polytechnic had escalated to an open anti-junta revolt, and ended in bloodshed in the early morning of November 17 after a series of events starting with a tank crashing through the gates of the Polytechnic.
