9ο Δημοτικό Σχολείο Χαλκίδας Γιάννης Σκαρίμπας

November 17, 1973, is a very important day for Greece. It is the day when the Athens Polytechnic students up-rose against the military Junta (1967-1974).

The seven-year fight against the military dictatorship culminated in the events of November 17, 1973. In the early hours of that day, a tank sent by the government crashed through the gates of the Athens Polytechnic. The students had barricaded themselves in, protesting against the Junta. While they were in the Polytechnic, they were broadcasting on a clandestine radio station that the time was right to overthrow the junta. Their broadcasting always started with the words “Here is Polytecheion”.

November 17, is not a public holiday in Greece. However, it is an observance day. Schools celebrate this day with poems, short plays and songs whereas universities stay closed. A lot of people in Athens take part in a demonstration that begins from the campus of the Polytechnic and ends at the United States Embassy.

This uprising, which is said to have been influenced by the youth movements of the 1960s such as the May 1968 events in France, symbolises resistance to tyranny. Celebrations that take place on November 17 make Greek people always remember that ideals such as freedom and democracy are worth fighting for.

On October 31, people in America, Great Britain and other countries celebrate Halloween. It is the night before the Catholic Festival of All Saints. Halloween traditions are of Celtic origin although most of them are mainly associated with America. What do these traditions involve?

People make pumpkin lanterns by removing the inside of a pumpkin and cutting eyes, a mouth and a nose into one of its sides. Then they put a candle in it.

Children dressed in scary costumes visit houses in their neighbourhood saying ‘trick or treat’ to those who open the door. If they do not get what they want – sweets or money – they play a trick on their neighbours.

Scary films are very popular on Halloween night. Older children go to a friend’s house or to the cinema and watch a scary movie.

Those who are in the mood for a party choose fancy dress costumes such as witches, ghosts and skeletons, dress up and go to Halloween parties which people have at home or at clubs. They usually play scary games or tell ghost stories.

On October 28, we celebrate ΄Ochi day’, the day on which Ioannis Metaxas, the Prime Minister of Greece, replied “Ochi”( No ) to Benito Mussolini, the Italian Prime Minister, who wanted to occupy Greece. Metaxas asked the Greeks to fight to the death. A few hours later the Italians attacked the Greek borders in Albania. That was the beginning of the Greco-Italian war which lasted for six months.

We are entitled to be proud of our fierce resistance to the Italians and, thus, celebrate it. Had it not been for Greece, WWII would have lasted longer and the extent of casualties would have been greater.

Celebrations begin in schools on 27^th October. Students present poems, songs, short plays and videos concerning that day.  On October 28, celebrations continue with student and military parades throughout the country.

All these celebrations help us realise the importance of the Greek contribution to WWII and make younger generations never forget that their forefathers fought heroically and finally gained for their country the independence it possesses today.