1901-2004
20th / 21st Century

1901
Turbulence breads out due to the translation of the Gospel into Demotic Greek. They remain known as "Evangelika" (gospel riots).

1902
Because of the confusion caused during the election, various episodes called "Sanidika" take place.

1904
New episodes caused by the translation of Aeschylus - "Oresteia" into Demotic Greek. The events are named "Oresteiaka".

1909
The abnormal political situation leads to revolt that breaks out on the 14-15th of September, 1909 at Goudi (the military coup of Goudi). The road opens for Eleftherios Venizelos entrance into the political scene.

1916-1917
The disagreement between King Constantine I and Venizelos for the participation or not of Greece in the First World War at the side of Entente. The result after the creation of the Government of Thessaloniki by Venizelos is the blockade of Athens by the allies and bloody turbulences.

1922
The "Trial of the Six" takes place at Goudi, where they are found guilty for the Asia Minor Catastrophe. Their execution follows. The fall of the Monarchy.

1925
General Theodoros Pangalos seizes power with a coup at the 1st Military Hospital of Athens.

1926
A new military coup overthrows Pangalos and Democracy is restored.

1933
General Nikolaos Plastiras attempts an unsuccessful military coup.

1935
A new unsuccessful coup of Plastiras with the participation of Venizelos, leads to the reinstatement of the Monarchy with King George II as its ruler.

1936
Ioannis Metaxas imposes dictatorship with the consent of King George II.

1941-1944
The German armies occupy Athens. During the occupation period, thousands of people die because of the shortage of food.

1944
The departure of the German from Athens. Violent clashes, known as the "Dekemvriana", take place during December between the communist partisans of EAM - ELAS and the government of George Papandreou, who had the support of the British and was the final victor. The "Dekemvriana" was the prelude to the Civil War.

1950-1967
Athens experiences and unprecedented rise in its demographic and economic wealth.

1967-1974
A military coup on April 21, 1967 sees the establishment of a dictatorship, headed by Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos. The removal of political freedoms and the institution of a police state mark this period. In November of 1973, fierce rebellion results in the takeover of the Athens Polytechnic University by a group of citizens and the subsequent violation of institutional asylum in the junta attacks at the University using tanks. In 1973, Papadopoulos is overthrown by Brigadier Dimitrios Ioannidis.

1974
The reinstatement of Democracy.

1979
Greece joins the European Economic Community (E.E.C.).

1980-2000
Athens is declared one of the major economic, administrative and intellectual centers of Europe. In 1985, the city is named the first European Capital of Culture During this period, Athens also successfully hosts a number of major athletic events, including:

• 1985 European Athletics Indoor Championships
• The 1st World Junior Championships in Athletics in 1986
• The 11th edition of the Mediterranean Games in 1991
• The 6th World Championships in Athletics in 1997
• The 13th FIBA World Basketball Championship in 1998
• The 70th World Weight-lifting Championship in 1999, etc.
• In 1997, Athens won the bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games.

2001-2004
21st Century

2003
The Greek Presidency hosts the European Council Summit, where the expansion of the European Union is discussed, with the participation of more European countries.

2004
A milestone date for the city as the Olympic Games take place.