Polytechneio
Polytechneio is an observance in Greece that’s observed on the 17th of November every year. This holiday commemorates the civilians killed during the assault on the Athens Polytechnic. The Polytechnic Uprising was a symbol of youth resistance against tyranny.
Greece (Observance)On November 17th, 1973, the transitional government sent a tank through the Athens Polytechnic gates in the early hours of the morning. This date is currently observed in Greece as a holiday for all educational establishments and commemorative services are held at some schools, while other schools remain closed on this day.
The History Of Polytechneio
On April 21, 1967, Greece was ruled by the military-a regime that dissolved all political parties, imprisoned and exiled politicians, and abolished civil rights. In 1973, the students began the first widespread public against the junta on February 21st.
Law students barricaded themselves inside the building of the Law School of the University of Athens and went on strike to demand the repeal of the law that imposed a draft. On November 17th, a tank crashed through the gates of the Athens Polytechnic. During the action, 24 civilians were killed.
Observing Polytechneio
On this day, some schools are closed in Greece while others offer students commemorative services. Polytechneio is the central location for commemoration services. During these services, students and politicians lay wreaths on a monument of the Polytechneio students killed during the Greek Resistance. People also use the hashtag #Polytechneio or #PolytechneioDay on their social media accounts.
Greece (Observance)
