Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1822-29
Independence is declared at Epidavros on 13 January 1822, but fighting continues for another
seven years. The Ottomans capitulate and accept the terms of the Treaty of Adrianople.
1827
British, French and Russian forces sink the combined Turkish-Egyptian naval fleet in the Battle
of Navarino (at Pylos, in the Peloponnese), a decisive action in the War of Independence.
1827-31
Ioannis Kapodistrias is appointed prime minister of a fledgling government with its capital in
the Peloponnesian town of Nafplio. Discontent ensues and Kapodistrias is assassinated.
1833
The powers of the Entente (Britain, France and Russia) decree that Greece should be a mon-
archy and dispatch Prince Otto of Bavaria to Greece to be the first appointed monarch in mod-
ern Greece.
1862-63
The monarchy takes a nosedive and King Otto is deposed in a bloodless coup. The British return
the Ionian Islands (a British protectorate since 1815) to Greece in an effort to quell Greece's ex-
pansionist urges.
1863-64
The British engineer the ascension to the Greek throne of Danish Prince William, later crowned
King George I. His 50-year reign begins with a new constitution in 1864.
1883
Greece completes construction of the Corinth Canal that cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth.
The engineering feat opens a link between the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
1883
Greece's most famous writer, Nikos Kazantzakis, is born in Iraklio. He becomes famous for
works like Zorba the Greekand The Last Temptation of Christin the mid-20th century.
1896
