Greece: History

There are many especially significant and eventful periods in the country history.

Ancient Greece. This period plays a rather weighty part in the world history. Most achievements of this period became a foundation for development of European culture.

Archeological excavations allowed gaining information that the first settlements on the territory of the country were observed in the Paleolithic age. In the second century before Christ the state was considered the motherland of the following great civilizations: Cycladian, Mycenian and Minoan.

The Golden age of Greece history became the most important. It managed to present the world with the greatest artists, scientists, sculptors, playwrights, poets, philosophers, architects, historians, doctors, and mathematics.

History of the country numbers plenty of invasions of Persian army and remembers about attack of Roman legions. However, it shall be noted, that Roman conqueror recognized the culture of Greece and became its followers.

Also, the state has firsthand knowledge of Ottoman Yoke load which it suffered from for four hundred years. Only in 1821, Greece became independent again.

In the middle of the nineteenth and in the beginning of the twentieth century the country gave it all its efforts in order to join its territories which she could not regain from the Ottoman Empire in olden times. It was a partial success.

The country started participating in the Second World War only after Italy had attacked it. Though it managed to repel the Italian attack, Greece was strengthless to repel the attack of Germany. Due to its defeat, the country had to survive the stages of its territory occupation by the states of Hitler coalition. Also, the country had to survive a civil war.

Since 1952 the state has been a member of NATO. In 1967, as a result of revolution, military dictatorship was established in Greece which led to abrogation of monarchy. The junta mistakes caused seizure of a part of Cyprus by Turkish troops and then overthrow of the dictature.

After these events a referendum was conducted in the country. It was on December 8, 1974. At that time Greece was declared to be a republic again. On the eleventh of June 1975 the constitution was adopted. This constitution is valid today. But it shall be noted that it was revised twice: in 1986 and 2001.

In 1981, Greece became a member of the European Union. Since 2001 Greece has been a member of the Currency and European Economic Unions.