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Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During
the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century,
it gradually added neighbouring islands and territories with Greek-speaking
populations. Following the defeat of communist rebels in 1949, Greece
joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many
political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven
years. Democratic elections in 1974 and a referendum created a
parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy; Greece joined the
European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992). |
