Friday, March 25, 2005

Ελλάς and excellent Friday

Ελλάς is the name of Greece in Greek script, pronounced as Ellás.

Today was a multiple anniversary for Greece - 25 March.
In 1821, Greece declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire.
In 1924, Greece became a republic for the second time (but not for long).

After its independence from the Ottoman Empire, Greece became a republic in 1828.

In 1833, a monarchy was introduced, as the 'independent' Greece was under the 'protection' of the United Kingdom, France and Russia. So Otto of the Wittelsbach family, Prince of Bavaria became its King. Apparently, Otto was a direct decendant of the Greek imperial dynasties of Comnenos and Laskaris.

Otto was 'deposed' and in 1863 George of the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg family (related to the modern Danish royal family) was 'elected' as King, George I of Greece.

There were five kings until 1924, when the second republic came into being, with a bunch of presidents. Then the king was restored to the throne in 1935.

The last king, King Constantine II ascended the throne in 1964. During his reign, much of Greek rule was under a dictatorship following a military coup in 1967 with the king in exile.

In 1973, the military regime 'abolished' the monarchy and declared a republic. In 1974, the new democratic regime under Constantine Karamanlis held a second democratic referendum, which confirmed the monarchy's abolition, with the monarchy receiving only one third of all votes cast.

To this day, the Greek royal family retain their titles living in exile, hoping for the day that the monarchy is restored yet again.

I say to the Greek royal family, just give up the titles as you have no country to go with them. Dream on!

The word democracy comes from the Greek word δημοκρατíα "rule by the people". And they are doing just fine without an outdated irrelevant system of hereditary head of state.

I would certainly not be calling anyone from that family 'your royal highness' etc.

........ooooooooOOOOOOOOoooooooo........

Today was a really good day, and even more so as it was Friday (not just a 'Good' Friday, but an excellent Friday), and my human stayed home with me all day. I sat on his lap while he watched a very scarey movie, Final Destination 2 which is more of a "splatter" movie if you know what I mean.

Merlin's human Kim, and Nell came over for dinner. They had slow cooked lamb with sebago and sweet potato mash with blanched beans. Nell also brought over a very nice chocolate cake (so I am told - I am not allowed to eat chocolate as it is toxic to cats).

Even though I had my usual chicken wings, I managed to beg some lamb for dinner as well.

I got to sit on Nell's lap for quite some time which was way cool!

keisercat@wildmail.com

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