E-Paper
Athens through the ages
Selected events in the history of Athens
Selected events in the history of Athens:
* Fifth-fourth centuries BC: "Golden Age" of Athens in antiquity led by figures such as PericlesPericles, Socrates, Plato and Aristophanes.
* Byzantine Empire, fourth century to mid-15th century: Athens' influence wanes and shrinks to size of small town. Constantinople, now Istanbul, emerges as centre of Greek-speaking world.
* 1832: Greece wins independence from Ottoman Empire after more than decade-long fight. Athens eventually named capital.
* 1896: Athens hosts first modern Olympiad.
* 1921-23: Greeks invade Asia Minor, but badly defeated. Huge refugee flow to Athens. Population exchange between Greece and Turkey relocates more than 2.3 million people. Athens population swells.
* World War II: Much of Greece, including Athens, occupied by Germany and its allies.
* 1946-49: Civil war around country between communist sympathizers and nationalists.
* 1950s-60s: Poor economic conditions force many Greeks to seek work in Athens. Population reaches more than 3 million.
* 1981: Greece joins group that's forerunner to European Union.
* 1990: Athens loses bid to host centennial Olympics, which go to Atlanta.
* 1997: Athens wins bid to host 2004 Olympics.
* September 1999: 5.9-magnitude earthquake kills 143 people and leaves hundreds of buildings badly damaged in Athens.
* January 2000: Athens subway debuts.
* April 2000: International Olympic Committee warns that delays could threaten Athens Games.
* March 2001: New Athens international airport opens.
* July 2004: New tram line goes into service.
* August 13-29: Olympics return to Athens.
