December 8 – Greeks Abolish Monarchy and Create New Republic (1974)
On December 8, 1974, the Greek people voted in a national referendum to abolish its monarchy and establish a new republic. In particular, the Greeks voted through a national referendum (also called a plebiscite) with approximately 69% of the vote to dissolve the old monarchy and establish the current Third Hellenic Republic.
The roots of Greece culture date back at least 3,500 years. However, in more modern times, the Greeks fought for their independence, created a monarchy, and eventually established a republic.
In the early 1820s, the Greeks rose up against the Ottoman Empire in a struggle for independence. After about ten years of resistance against the Ottomans, the Greeks won their independence. In particular, England, France, and Russia forced the Ottoman Empire to grant Greece independence under a European monarch at the London Conference of 1832.
Between World War I and II the Greeks engaged in an internal struggle between using a monarchy and a republic. For example, Greek was proclaimed a republic in 1924 but became a monarchy again in 1935 when King George II returned to the throne.
Finally, in 1974, in the aftermath of a seven-year military dictatorship, the Greek people pushed for a national referendum (also called a plebiscite) to vote on whether Greek should remain a monarchy.
On this day, December 16, 1974, the Greek people overwhelming voted to abolish the monarchy and establish, yet again, a new republic. The Greeks called their new republic the Third Hellenic Republic, as it was the third republic to come into existence.
As of today, the Third Hellenic Republic remains in place with a parliamentary system, three branches of government, and a national constitution. Currently, over 11 million people live in Greece under the Third Hellenic Republic.