3 September 1843 Revolution

On the night of 2 to 3 September 1843, the army and the people of Athens rose up against King Otto, demanding a constitution. Greeks had grown increasingly frustrated with Otto's absolute rule, the dominance of Bavarian officials in government and the army, and the heavy economic burden on the country. The uprising was organized by politicians and military officers, including Colonel Dimitrios Kallergis and the veteran revolutionary general Ioannis Makriyannis. Troops of the Athens garrison, led by Kallergis, marched to the Royal Palace, where they were joined by crowds of citizens. They surrounded the palace and demanded a constitution. The revolt was peaceful, and no blood was shed. Faced with the demands of the army and the people, Otto agreed to call a National Assembly to draft a constitution and to dismiss Bavarian officials from his government. The square in front of the palace, where the crowd gathered, was renamed Syntagma Square, meaning Constitution Square, in honor of the event. It remains the main square of Athens, and the palace is now the Greek Parliament.