In November, 1973, the students at the Athens Polytechnic (Polytechneion) barricaded themselves within the school campus and protested against the military dictatorship that had been in power since April 21, 1967. Their slogan was “Bread. Education. Freedom.” The conflict escalated when army tanks and police broke down the gates of the school on November 17. Several demonstrators were killed and many students were arrested and tortured for months in military prisons. The junta fell a year later, and the student uprising at the Polytechneion is considered the straw that broke the camel’s back. Since Friday, former members of the student resistence and citizens alike have been leaving flowers at the memorial for those who died on that day, whereas events culminate at 3 p.m. today with a rally towards the American Embassy. To learn more about the Athens Polytechnic, visit our Videos section.