The student movement appeared early on in the city's streets, advocating academic and various other demands and instituting a dynamic factor in the public arena. he student struggles of the institution's early years were associated with the Great Idea and the fight against King Otto. In recognition of their contribution to the latter, in 1862, following Otto's ousting, the University Phalanx, was formed, the first and single body of armed students. At the end of the 19th century, the student body defended Katharevousa (the scholarly Greek language), demonstrating passionately against the demotic Greek and participating in two of the most famous incidents in the history of the university, the Evangelika (1901) and Oresteiaka (1903).
In the interwar period, student unions and political factions were introduced, in the way we know them today, as a result of the emergence of left-wing ideas. The student body was hereafter much more political and at the same time much more disapproving of the university itself. During the Occupation, thousands of students joined the national liberation struggle in many ways. In the post-war period, students appeared on the streets, again on the occasion of the Cyprus issue. At the same time, in the 60s, their participation impacted the struggles for Education and Democracy. Their contribution to the downfall of the seven-year dictatorship, with actions such as the student strike and the takeover of the Law School in February 1973, determined the student movement's strong presence during the Transition to Democracy years (Μεταπολίτευση).
Instances from the student rally at the Propylaea where the main slogan was "15% for Education," 1962.
The Athens University History Museum.
«They were gathered at the Propylaea, with their flags, banners, and signs, on the street and the sidewalks, ten thousand boys and girls, the blossom of our country, the hope of tomorrow. Their passion went hand in hand with their concern not to give an excuse to the provocateurs or the Police to spoil the momentum of the demonstration. [...] Amid the shouts and the shoving, I had to explain what Papandreou's educational reform signified, what the 15 percent dowry for Education meant, and what 1-1-4 was all about. The recent struggles and sacrifices of the Lambrakis youth and the democratic youth came alive before our eyes. Thousands of mouths were demanding in unison, «Out with the Court's slaves. Down with the traitors. Democracy».
Stratis Tsirkas, “The Lost Spring”, Leap Years, Kedros. Κέδρος, Athens (1976) 2011.
Medical School students' protest-letter to the Rector against Professor of Medicine D. Mavrokordatos. This is the first known student protest accompanied by a three-day boycott of the professor's lectures (1/2).
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
Medical School students' protest-letter to the Rector against Professor of Medicine D. Mavrokordatos. This is the first known student protest accompanied by a three-day boycott of the professor's lectures (2/2).
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
The Rector's letter to the students for the resumption of lectures after the Skiadika demonstration, 1859.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
The «Student Union» association's application to the university's Rectorate for temporary accommodation in one of the institution's buildings, 1891.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
Student protest-letter to the Ministry of Ecclesiastical and Public Education regarding the events in the class of Medicine professor, Julius Galvanis, 1896 (1/2).
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
Student protest-letter to the Ministry of Ecclesiastical and Public Education regarding the events in the class of Medicine professor, Julius Galvanis, 1896 (2/2).
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
Headlines of the newspapers «Embros», regarding the Evangelika, 1901.
Library of the Hellenic Parliament.
Headlines of the newspapers «Acropolis» regarding the Evangelika, 1901.
Library of the Hellenic Parliament.
Headlines of the newspapers «Athinai» regarding the Orestesiaka, 1903.
Library of the Hellenic Parliament.
Headlines of the newspapers «Chronos» regarding the Orestesiaka, 1903.
Library of the Hellenic Parliament.
The Athens Police Department's report about the riots against the university’s professors and between democratic and royalist students on April 10, 1924, three days before the referendum concerning the political system.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
An Athens Police Department document informing the Rectorate of the university of a student's arrest, member of the royalist faction «Constitutional Youth», April 4, 1924.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
Invitation to participate in the First Student Congress, November 25, 1924.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
The daily program of the works of the First Student Congress, November 1924.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
The «Student Fellowship» magazine, 1926.
Contemporary Social History Archives.
The «Student Echo» magazine, 1926.
Contemporary Social History Archives.
Instance from a University of Athens student rally during the strike of 1929.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
Student strike resolution against the new bylaw of the University of Athens, December 1932 (1/2).
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
Student strike resolution against the new bylaw of the University of Athens, December 1932 (2/2).
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
The decision to expel law student Nikos Belogiannis, June 4, 1937.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
Students incarcerated in the Averoff prison during the dictatorship of Metaxas.
Athens University History Museum.
Dimitrios Konstantinidis: The first student killed during the demonstration of December 22 against the political draft.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
University students at the celebrations for the liberation of Athens, October 1944.
Historical Archive of the University of Athens.
The Administrative Committee of the Associations of the University of Athens (DESPA) appeals to party leaders and MPs. It requests support for the student demands to reinstate free enrollment, revoke eliminating university services, etc., December 16, 1959 (1/3).
Contemporary Social History Archives.
The Administrative Committee of the Associations of the University of Athens (DESPA) appeals to party leaders and MPs. It requests support for the student demands to reinstate free enrollment, revoke eliminating university services, etc., December 16, 1959 (2/3).
Contemporary Social History Archives.
The Administrative Committee of the Associations of the University of Athens (DESPA) appeals to party leaders and MPs. It requests support for the student demands to reinstate free enrollment, revoke eliminating university services, etc., December 16, 1959 (3/3).
Contemporary Social History Archives.
Student rally at the Propylaea during the fight to increase spending on Education, 1962.
Athens University History Museum.
Student march during the fight to increase spending on Education, 1962.
Athens University History Museum.
Instances from the student rally at the propylaea where the main slogan was «15% for Education». A characteristic Bost sketch is seen on the placards, 1962.
Athens University History Museum.
Signature collection brochure in support of the demand «15% for Education».
Athens University History Museum.
Students on the rooftop of the Law School during the takeover of the School, February 21, 1973.
Archive of ERT S.A.
List of students who participated in the events of the Law School, March 1973.
Society of Friends of Panagiotis Kanellopoulos.
From the demonstrations and the takeover of 1979 to abolish Law 815.
Annie Vryhea – Costas Gavroglou, Attempts to reform Higher Education 1911-1981, Athens, Synchrona Themata magazine, 1982, p. 317.
Instance from the 1979 takeover assembly.
Spoudastiko Salpisma Magazine, 17/01/1980.
From the demonstrations and takeover of 1979 to abolish Law 815.
Spoudastiko Salpisma Magazine.
The takeover movement of high school students and university students of 1990-1991.
Demonstrations against the revision of Article 16 of the Constitution, 2007.
