1974 marked the end of an entire era and the beginning of a completely new one. Its transitional nature was reflected in its contradictions. It was both annus horribilis and annus mirabilis. Horrible, because the first half was marked by the darkest version of the dictatorial regime that caused irreparable national disaster in Cyprus, which in turn led to its collapse. 

Amazing, because on the ruins of the junta, the most successful version of a smooth democratic life in the Greek state was rebuilt with almost unbelievable speed and certainly remarkable efficiency. The lingering state issue was settled in an undisputed and therefore definitive manner. In addition, the foundations were laid again for Greece's active participation in the project of European integration. 

1974 was also decisive on another level. That of shaping Greek-Turkish relations. Almost all the claims that Turkey raises against Greece to this day have their roots in the period between 1973 and 1974. The 1974 divide was eloquently captured even in everyday language, in which the division "before 1974" and "after 1974" became a reference point, even today.