History of Greece in Timeline
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe situated on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula. It shares borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas surround Greece, giving it the longest coastline on the Mediterranean Basin, and featuring thousands of islands. Greece is divided into nine traditional geographic regions and has a population of almost 10.4 million. The capital and largest city is Athens, followed by Thessaloniki and Patras.
1900: Large Sephardi Jewish community in Thessaloniki
The Sephardi Jewish community in Thessaloniki numbered around 80,000, which was more than half of the city's population.
1900: Peak fertility rate in Greece
The fertility rate in Greece reached a high of 5.5 children per woman.
1907: First Cine-Theatre Opens in Athens
The first cine-theatre opened in Athens, marking a significant step in the development of cinema in Greece.
1908: End of the Macedonian Struggle
The Macedonian Struggle, a guerrilla campaign sponsored by the Greek government in Ottoman-ruled Macedonia, ended with the Young Turk Revolution. The campaign aimed to counter Bulgarian influence in the region.
1909: Military Coup and Rise of Eleftherios Venizelos
Dissatisfied with the lack of progress towards national aspirations, military officers staged a coup and invited Cretan politician Eleftherios Venizelos to lead the country. Venizelos envisioned a national regeneration and initiated significant reforms.
1910: Venizelos as Prime Minister
After winning two elections, Eleftherios Venizelos became Prime Minister and implemented fiscal, social, and constitutional reforms. He also reorganized the military and positioned Greece for territorial expansion.
1913: Expansion of Greece During the Balkan Wars
Greece participated in the Balkan Wars, resulting in a significant increase in its territory and population. It annexed Crete, Epirus, and Macedonia.
1914: Asty Films Company Founded, Production of Long Films Begins
The Asty Films Company was founded, and the production of long films commenced.
1914: Start of the Greek Genocide
The Greek genocide, orchestrated by Ottoman and Turkish officials, began, resulting in the systematic killing of hundreds of thousands of Greeks in Asia Minor. This genocide also targeted Assyrians and Armenians.
1917: Greece Enters World War I
After a period of political division over foreign policy, Greece entered World War I on the side of the Entente Powers.
1919: Start of the Greco-Turkish War
Greece, aiming to expand into Asia Minor, a region with a substantial Greek population, engaged in a war with Turkey.
1922: Defeat in the Asia Minor Campaign
Greece suffered a significant military defeat in the Asia Minor Campaign, leading to territorial losses and a mass exodus of Greeks from Turkey.
1922: Defeat in the Greco-Turkish War and the Greek Exodus
Greece was defeated in the Greco-Turkish War, leading to a massive exodus of Greeks from Asia Minor. This event coincided with the Greek genocide, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Greeks.
1923: Estimated Slavic speakers in Macedonia
Following the population exchanges, Macedonia was estimated to have between 200,000 and 400,000 Slavic speakers.
1923: Treaty of Lausanne and population exchange
The Treaty of Lausanne was signed, which included an agreement for a population exchange between Greece and Turkey based on cultural and religious identity. Around 500,000 Muslims from Greece were exchanged with approximately 1.5 million Greeks from Turkey.
1924: Establishment of the Second Hellenic Republic
After a period of instability following the Asia Minor catastrophe, a referendum led to the abolition of the monarchy and the declaration of the Second Hellenic Republic.
1930: Rise of Athenian Serenades and Theatrical Revue Songs
During this period, Athenian serenades and songs performed on stage in revues, operettas, and nocturnes became popular in Athens' theater scene.
1931: Daphnis and Chloe Features First Nude Scene in European Cinema
Orestis Laskos directed Daphnis and Chloe, which included one of the first nude scenes in European cinema. The film also marked the first instance of a Greek movie being screened internationally.
1935: Abolition of the Republic and Restoration of Monarchy
Royalist general Georgios Kondylis seized power through a coup, abolished the republic, and reinstated King George II after a rigged referendum.
1936: Establishment of the 4th of August Regime
A coup led by General Georgios Kondylis resulted in the abolition of the republic and the restoration of King George II. An agreement between the King and Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas established the 4th of August Regime, inaugurating a period of authoritarian rule.
1941: German Invasion and Occupation
Despite initial success against Italy, Greece fell to German forces during the Battle of Greece. The Nazis occupied key areas, while other regions were given to Italy and Bulgaria. The occupation resulted in widespread suffering, economic devastation, and the deportation and murder of Greek Jews.
1944: Katina Paxinou Wins Best Supporting Actress Academy Award
Katina Paxinou received the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role in the film For Whom the Bell Tolls.
1949: End of the Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War, fought between communist forces and the anti-communist Greek government, ends with the victory of the anti-communist government.
1950: Beginning of Record Economic Growth
Greece embarked on a period of significant economic growth that lasted until the 1970s, transforming it into a developed country with an advanced high-income economy.
1950: The Drunkard Released
The Drunkard, a notable film with film noir elements was released, directed by George Tzavellas.
1951: Πικρό Ψωμί Released
Πικρό Ψωμί, a notable film with film noir elements was released, directed by Grigoris Grigoriou.
1952: Women's Suffrage Granted
An amendment to the 1952 Constitution guarantees women's suffrage in Greece.
1955: The Counterfeit Coin and Stella Released
Notable films with film noir elements, The Counterfeit Coin, directed by Giorgos Tzavellas, and Stella, directed by Cacoyannis and written by Kampanellis, were released.
1956: O Drakos Released
O Drakos, a notable film with film noir elements, was released, directed by Nikos Koundouros.
1959: Establishment of National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos"
The National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos," the largest multidisciplinary research center in Greece, was established, marking a significant milestone in scientific research in the country.
1961: Woe to the Young Released
Woe to the Young, a notable film with film noir elements was released, directed by Alekos Sakellarios.
1962: Glory Sky Released
Glory Sky, a notable film with film noir elements, was released, directed by Takis Kanellopoulos.
1963: Nobel Prize in Literature Awarded to George Seferis
George Seferis, a Greek author, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
1963: The Red Lanterns Released
The Red Lanterns, a notable film with film noir elements was released, directed by Vasilis Georgiadis.
1964: Last Multi-Party Election Before Junta
The last multiparty elections before the Greek junta took place.
1965: Political Turbulence Following Dismissal of Centrist Government
King Constantine II dismisses George Papandreou's centrist government, triggering political unrest that eventually culminates in a coup in 1967.
1967: Coup by the Greek Junta
A military coup led by Georgios Papadopoulos establishes a junta government in Greece, suspending civil rights and intensifying political repression.
1967: Military Junta Takes Power
A military junta seizes power in Greece, suspending democratic processes.
1967: Music of Mikis Theodorakis Banned During Greek Junta
The music of Mikis Theodorakis was banned, and he was imprisoned and exiled during the Greek junta.
1972: Economic Growth Plateaus
Greece's rapid economic growth under the junta government plateaus.
1973: Athens Polytechnic Uprising and Regime Change
The brutal suppression of the Athens Polytechnic uprising leads to a counter-coup within the junta, with brigadier Dimitrios Ioannidis becoming the new strongman.
July 1974: Collapse of the Greek Junta and Restoration of Democracy
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus leads to a crisis in Greece, resulting in the collapse of the military junta and the restoration of democracy through Metapolitefsi.
1974: Restoration of Democracy
Democracy was restored in Greece after a period of military rule, leading to the establishment of a new political landscape dominated by New Democracy (ND) and the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK).
1974: Greece Debuts in Eurovision Song Contest
Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time.
1974: End of the 4th of August Regime
The 4th of August Regime, an authoritarian dictatorship, came to an end in 1974.
1974: Military Junta Collapses
The Greek military junta collapses, paving the way for the restoration of democratic governance.
1975: New Democratic Constitution
A democratic and republican constitution is adopted after a referendum rejects the restoration of the monarchy.
1975: New Constitution Implemented
The current Constitution of Greece comes into effect, establishing a parliamentary republic after the fall of the military junta.
1979: Accession to European Communities Signed
Greece signed the agreement for its accession to the European Communities and the single market in 1979, initiating its integration into the European economic and political framework.
1979: Nobel Prize in Literature Awarded to Odysseas Elytis
Odysseas Elytis, a Greek author, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
1980: Greece Rejoins NATO
Greece rejoins NATO after its withdrawal during the military junta.
1981: Greece Joins the European Communities and Election of Andreas Papandreou
Greece becomes the tenth member of the European Communities, marking a period of sustained economic growth. Andreas Papandreou's election as prime minister leads to various social, political, and economic reforms.
1981: High marriage rates in Greece
Marriage rates in Greece were almost 71 per 1,000 inhabitants.
1981: Higher birth and lower mortality rates in Greece
The birth rate in Greece was 14.5 per 1,000, while the mortality rate was 8.9 per 1,000 inhabitants.
1982: Completion of Accession to European Communities
Greece completed its accession to the European Communities in 1982, solidifying its membership and participation in the European project.
1984: Establishment of the Hellenic Police
The Hellenic Police was created through the merger of the Hellenic Gendarmerie and the Cities Police forces, forming a unified national police force responsible for a wide range of duties, including traffic control and counter-terrorism.
1986: Constitutional Amendment
Greece's Constitution was amended to limit the powers of the President, making the position largely ceremonial and transferring most political power to the Prime Minister.
1986: First Revision of the Constitution
The Greek Constitution undergoes its first revision.
1987: Greece Wins European Basketball Championship
The Greek national basketball team won the European Championship for the first time.
1991: Lower divorce rates in Greece
Divorce rates in Greece were 191 per 1,000 marriages.
1994: Cooperation with the European Space Agency
The Hellenic National Space Committee initiated its collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).
1998: Theo Angelopoulos's Eternity and a Day Wins Palme d'Or
Theo Angelopoulos's film Eternity and a Day won the Palme d'Or and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
June 2000: Entry into the Economic and Monetary Union
Greece was admitted into the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union in June 2000, marking a significant step in its economic integration within the EU.
January 2001: Adoption of the Euro
Greece adopted the euro as its currency in January 2001, replacing the Greek drachma, signifying its full participation in the eurozone.
2001: Aging Greek population
17% of the Greek population were 65 years old and older, 68% were between 15 and 64 years old, and 15% were 14 years old and younger.
2001: Second Revision of the Constitution & Expanded Civil Liberties
The Greek Constitution is revised for the second time, including enhanced protections for civil liberties and social rights.
2002: Knuth Prize awarded to Christos Papadimitriou
Greek computer scientist Christos Papadimitriou was awarded the Knuth Prize.
2004: Greece Hosts 2004 Summer Olympics
Greece hosted the Summer Olympics for the second time, showcasing its historical significance as the founding nation of the ancient Olympic Games.
2004: Declining marriage and increasing divorce rates in Greece
Marriage rates in Greece declined to 51 per 1,000 inhabitants, while divorce rates increased from 191 per 1,000 marriages in 1991 to 240 per 1,000 marriages.
2004: Greece Wins Euro 2004
The Greece national football team won the European Championship in a surprising victory.
2005: Membership in the European Space Agency
Greece officially became a member of the European Space Agency (ESA), strengthening its involvement in space exploration and research.
2005: Knuth Prize awarded to Mihalis Yannakakis
Greek computer scientist Mihalis Yannakakis was awarded the Knuth Prize.
2005: Greece Wins Eurovision Song Contest
Greek-Swedish singer Elena Paparizou wins the Eurovision Song Contest for Greece with her song "My Number One".
2005: Greece Wins Gold in Women's Water Polo World League
The Greece women's national water polo team wins the gold medal at the 2005 World League.
2005: Greece Wins Second European Basketball Championship
The Greek national basketball team achieved their second victory in the European Championship.
2006: Eurovision Song Contest Held in Athens
Athens hosted the 51st Eurovision Song Contest.
2006: Greece Takes Second Place in FIBA World Championship
The Greek national basketball team achieved a second-place finish in the FIBA World Championship.
2007: Tourist Arrivals in Greece
Greece received 18 million tourists, marking a base year for comparing the growth in tourist arrivals in subsequent years.
2007: Dirac Prize and Turing Award awarded to Greek scientists
Greek scientists John Iliopoulos was awarded the Dirac Prize for his contributions to the physics of the charm quark, and Joseph Sifakis received the Turing Award, considered the "Nobel Prize" of computer science.
2007: Lead-up to Financial Crisis
In the years preceding the 2007-2008 financial crisis, Greece faced challenges with high structural deficits, masking the true extent of its economic imbalances.
2008: Revealed Deficits
In 2009, it came to light that Greece's budget deficits had been considerably larger than officially reported, reaching 10% in 2008, exposing the unsustainable fiscal practices employed by successive governments.
2008: Greece National Football Team Reaches 8th in World Rankings
The Greece national football team achieved their highest position in the FIFA World Rankings, reaching 8th place.
2008: Third Revision of the Constitution
The Greek Constitution undergoes its third revision.
2009: Impact of the Great Recession
The Great Recession triggered the Greek crisis, causing a 2.5% contraction in the nation's GDP in 2009, while simultaneously revealing the true extent of its budget deficits.
2009: Start of Greek Economic Crisis
The Greek economy began to experience a significant decline in GDP.
2009: Pre-Crisis Greek Economy
The Greek economy was at its pre-crisis size, which serves as a benchmark for its recovery.
2009: Government-Debt Crisis Begins
The Greek government-debt crisis began, revealing significant economic challenges and leading to a decline in the popularity of the long-dominant political parties, PASOK and New Democracy.
2009: Hidden Borrowing Levels Revealed
The year 2009 brought to light the extent of Greece's hidden borrowing levels, with banks providing cash in exchange for future payments by governments, effectively obscuring the true magnitude of the country's debt.
2009: Yorgos Lanthimos Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar
Yorgos Lanthimos was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards for his film Dogtooth.
May 2010: First Greek Bailout
Greece, other eurozone members, and the International Monetary Fund agreed on a €110 billion rescue package to prevent a Greek sovereign default. In return, Greece was required to adopt strict austerity measures.
2010: Eurostat–Eurobarometer poll on religious beliefs
A Eurostat–Eurobarometer poll found that 79% of Greek citizens believe in God and 16% described themselves as "very religious", the highest percentage among all European countries. Only 3.5% never attend church.
2010: Emigration of young adults from Greece
Due to the economic crisis, 350,000–450,000 Greeks, predominantly young adults, emigrated.
2010: Greece Impacted by the Great Recession and Debt Crisis
Greece is hit hard by the global financial crisis and the subsequent European sovereign debt crisis.
2010: Crisis of Confidence
In early 2010, a crisis of confidence gripped Greece as borrowing rates surged due to concerns about its ability to repay loans, stemming from the revealed deficits and the limitations imposed by its eurozone membership.
2010: Greece Takes Silver in the Women's Water Polo European Championship
The Greece women's national water polo team secures the silver medal at the 2010 European Championship.
January 2011: Kallikratis Programme Implemented
The Kallikratis Programme, a significant administrative reform, came into effect in January 2011, reorganizing Greece into 13 regions subdivided into 325 municipalities, while largely preserving the existing prefectures as sub-units within the regions.
2011: Broadband Internet Availability
Greece had widespread broadband internet availability, with 2,252,653 broadband connections, indicating a 20% broadband penetration rate.
2011: Low Renewable Energy Usage
Renewable energy sources accounted for only 11% of Greece's electricity generation.
2011: Santorini and Mykonos Recognized for Tourism
Santorini was voted "The World's Best Island" by Travel + Leisure, while Mykonos ranked fifth in the European category, showcasing their popularity as tourist destinations.
2011: Greece National Football Team Again Reaches 8th in World Rankings
The Greece national football team once again reached the 8th position in the FIFA World Rankings.
2011: Greece Wins the Women's Water Polo World Championship
The Greece women's national water polo team wins gold at the World Championship, establishing themselves as a major force in the sport.
May 2012: Parliamentary Elections
The left-wing SYRIZA party emerged as a major political force in the May 2012 parliamentary elections, challenging the dominance of the liberal-conservative New Democracy (ND) and the social-democratic Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK).
June 2012: Coalition Government Formed
Following the May 2012 elections, New Democracy and PASOK formed a coalition government in response to SYRIZA's rise and the ongoing government-debt crisis.
2012: Second Greek Bailout
A second bailout package of €130 billion was agreed upon, contingent on financial reforms and further austerity measures. Additionally, a debt haircut was agreed upon.
2012: Political Shift in Greece
Greece experiences a major political change with the emergence of new parties following the decline of the traditional dominant parties, PASOK and New Democracy.
2012: Gödel Prize awarded to Christos Papadimitriou
Greek computer scientist Christos Papadimitriou was awarded the Gödel Prize.
2012: Growth in Greek scientific publications
Greek scientific publications began to grow significantly in terms of research impact, surpassing both the EU and global average.
2012: Greece Wins Silver in the Women's Water Polo European Championship
The Greece women's national water polo team wins another silver medal at the 2012 European Championship.
2012: Greek National Basketball Team Ranked 4th in the World
The Greek national basketball team achieved a ranking of 4th in the world.
2013: Greek Budget Surplus
Greece achieved a budget surplus after implementing austerity measures.
2013: IMF Apology
The IMF acknowledged that it had underestimated the effects of the imposed austerity measures on Greece and issued an informal apology.
2014: Greece National Football Team Ranked 12th in the World
The Greece national football team held the 12th position in the FIFA World Rankings.
2014: Return to Growth
The Greek economy returned to growth after a period of recession.
January 2015: SYRIZA Victory
Led by Alexis Tsipras, SYRIZA won the general election but lacked an outright parliamentary majority, resulting in a coalition government with the Independent Greeks, a right-wing populist party.
September 2015: Second SYRIZA-Independent Greeks Coalition
SYRIZA secured a relative parliamentary majority in the September 2015 general election and again formed a coalition government with the Independent Greeks.
2015: Alexis Tsipras Elected Prime Minister
Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Coalition of the Radical Left (Syriza), is elected as the first prime minister from outside the two main political parties.
2015: Peak of Greek Economic Crisis
Greece experienced a 25% drop in GDP, and its debt ratio increased to approximately 170%.
2015: Yorgos Lanthimos Nominated for Best Original Screenplay Oscar
Yorgos Lanthimos received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for his film The Lobster.
2016: Peak in Greek scientific publications
Greek scientific publications reached a peak in terms of research impact, surpassing both the EU and global average from 2012 to 2016.
2016: OECD Report on Civic Participation
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released a report indicating that Greeks have moderate levels of civic participation compared to other developed nations, with a voter turnout of 64% in recent elections.
2016: Declining birth rate and increasing mortality rate in Greece
The birth rate in Greece was 8.5 per 1,000, significantly lower than the rate of 14.5 in 1981. The mortality rate increased from 8.9 per 1,000 inhabitants in 1981 to 11.2 in 2016.
2016: Continued aging of the Greek population
The proportion of the Greek population aged 65 and older had risen to 21%, while the proportion of those aged 14 and younger declined to slightly below 14%.
2017: Survey on religiosity in Greece
A survey was conducted on religiosity in Greece.
2017: Regular Internet Usage
Around 82% of the Greek population used the internet regularly, reflecting a high level of internet penetration and digital literacy.
2017: Legal recognition of Hellenic Polytheism
Hellenic Polytheism, or Hellenism, was officially recognized as an actively practiced religion in Greece.
2017: Record Spending on Research and Development
Spending on research and development (R&D) in Greece reached an all-time high of €2 billion, equivalent to 1.1% of GDP, indicating a commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
2018: Prespa Agreement
Greece resolved the Macedonia naming dispute through the Prespa Agreement, which addressed Turkish challenges to Greek sovereignty in the Aegean Sea and the ongoing Cyprus dispute.
2018: Greece Scores Above Average on Forest Landscape Integrity Index
Greece achieves a mean score of 6.6 out of 10 on the Forest Landscape Integrity Index, ranking 70th globally.
2018: End of Greek Debt Crisis and Prespa Agreement
The Greek government-debt crisis ends, and the country returns to economic growth. The Prespa Agreement, resolving the naming dispute with North Macedonia, is signed, easing tensions and paving the way for North Macedonia's EU and NATO membership.
2018: End of Greek Bailouts
The international bailout programs for Greece came to an end.
2018: Tourism's Contribution to GDP
Tourism contributed 21% to Greece's gross domestic product, highlighting its significance to the economy.
2018: Yorgos Lanthimos Nominated for Best Picture and Best Director Oscars
Yorgos Lanthimos was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards for his work on The Favourite.
July 2019: New Democracy Landslide Victory
The New Democracy party, led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, achieved a decisive victory in the July 2019 general election, establishing a centre-right government.
2019: Passenger Travel by Boat
37 million passengers traveled by boat in Greece, representing the second-highest number in Europe, underscoring the significance of maritime transport.
2019: Kyriakos Mitsotakis Becomes Prime Minister
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the centre-right New Democracy party, wins the general election and becomes Greece's new prime minister.
2019: Fourth Revision of the Constitution
The Greek Constitution undergoes its fourth and most recent revision.
2019: Kleisthenis I Programme
The Kleisthenis I Programme brought further administrative changes to Greece, increasing the number of municipalities to 332.
2020: Modernization of Road and Rail Network
Greece modernized its road and rail network, resulting in the most extensive motorway network in Southeastern Europe.
2020: Katerina Sakellaropoulou Elected First Female President
Greece's parliament elects Katerina Sakellaropoulou as the first female President of Greece.
2021: Unemployment Rates
In 2021, Greece faced an unemployment rate of 13%, with youth unemployment reaching 33%, surpassing the respective EU and eurozone averages of 7% and 16%.
2021: Census of major Greek cities
Athens had a population of 3,744,059 and Thessaloniki had a population of 1,092,919.
2021: Greek Agricultural Production
Greece was the European Union's largest producer of cotton and pistachios, second in olives, and third in figs.
2021: Piraeus as a Major Passenger Port
Piraeus, the port of Athens, was the third busiest passenger port in Europe, reflecting its importance in maritime transport.
2021: Dominance of Public Power Corporation
The state-owned Public Power Corporation (DEI) supplied 75% of Greece's electricity.
July 2022: 5G Service Accessibility
5G service became accessible in most major cities in Greece, marking a significant development in its telecommunications infrastructure.
2022: Greek population estimated by Eurostat
Eurostat estimated the Greek population to be 10.6 million.
2022: Greece as a Top Tourist Destination
Greece ranked as the ninth most visited country globally, highlighting its popularity as a tourist destination.
2022: Greek Agricultural Production
Greece was the third largest producer of watermelons and fourth in almonds in the European Union.
2022: Tourism Performance
Greece welcomed 28 million international tourists in 2022, making it the 9th most visited country globally, highlighting the significant role of tourism in its economy.
2022: Rise of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources accounted for 46% of Greece's electricity generation, a significant increase from 11% in 2011.
2023: Economic Standing
As of 2023, Greece had the 54th largest economy globally by purchasing power parity (PPP) at $417 billion, positioning it as the 15th largest economy within the European Union. The nation boasts a high-income, advanced economy, with a per capita income of $40,000, ranking 51st worldwide.
2023: Passenger Traffic at Athens International Airport
Athens International Airport handled over 28 million passengers, showcasing its role as a major transportation hub.
2023: Global Innovation Index Ranking
Greece was ranked 42nd in the Global Innovation Index, reflecting its position in terms of innovation capabilities.
February 2024: Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
Greece becomes the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples.
2024: Greece Bans Bottom Trawling in Protected Areas
Greece becomes the first European Union member state to prohibit bottom trawling within designated marine protected areas to safeguard marine biodiversity.
2024: Greek Economic Recovery
The Greek economy is projected to grow by nearly 3%, approaching its pre-crisis size of 2009.
