The 15th of July is one of the most important and painful dates in the modern history of Cyprus. Every year, it is remembered as the anniversary of the coup d’état that took place on 15 July 1974 against the democratically elected President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III. The events of that day deeply affected the island and became the beginning of a tragic period whose consequences are still visible today.
On the morning of 15 July 1974, forces of the Cyprus National Guard, directed by the military government then ruling Greece and supported by the underground organisation EOKA B, launched a coup against President Makarios. Tanks and armed units surrounded and attacked the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, while other important government buildings, communication centres and strategic locations were also taken over. Heavy fighting occurred in several areas, causing deaths, injuries and widespread fear among the population.
The coup leaders falsely announced that Archbishop Makarios had been killed during the attack on the Presidential Palace. However, he managed to escape through the rear of the building and travelled first to Paphos. From there, he addressed the people of Cyprus by radio, declaring that he was alive and calling on them to resist the coup. He later left the island and travelled abroad, where he informed the international community about what had happened in Cyprus.
Following the coup, journalist and former EOKA member Nikos Sampson was installed as president by the coup authorities. The new regime aimed to replace the constitutional government and move Cyprus towards union with Greece, a political goal known as Enosis. However, the coup did not represent the wishes of all Greek Cypriots, and it created deep divisions within the community. Many people opposed the overthrow of the legal government, while others became victims of arrests, violence and persecution because of their political beliefs.
The coup caused serious damage to the democratic institutions of the Republic of Cyprus. It disrupted constitutional order and created instability at a particularly dangerous moment in the island’s history. The events also increased fear and insecurity among the Turkish Cypriot community, which had already experienced years of tension and intercommunal conflict. Cyprus was left politically divided and militarily vulnerable.
Five days later, on 20 July 1974, Turkey launched a military operation in Cyprus. Turkey presented its intervention as an action under the Treaty of Guarantee, while the Republic of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot community regard it as an invasion. The operation resulted in further fighting, loss of life, mass displacement and the eventual division of the island. Thousands of Greek Cypriots were forced to leave their homes in the north, while many Turkish Cypriots later moved to the northern part of Cyprus.
The events of July and August 1974 transformed Cyprus permanently. Families lost relatives, homes and property. Many people became refugees within their own country, while others were reported missing. Towns and villages that had once been home to mixed communities were abandoned or divided. The capital, Nicosia, became the last divided capital in Europe, separated by the United Nations-controlled buffer zone commonly known as the Green Line.
The coup itself collapsed after only a few days. Nikos Sampson resigned on 23 July 1974, following the fall of the military dictatorship in Greece. Glafkos Clerides, who was then President of the House of Representatives, assumed the duties of Acting President until Archbishop Makarios returned to Cyprus in December 1974. Although constitutional government was restored, the damage caused during that period could not easily be reversed.
Today, the 15th of July is officially commemorated in the Republic of Cyprus as a day of remembrance and condemnation of the coup. Memorial services are held for those who lost their lives while defending democracy and constitutional order. Sirens usually sound in the morning at the time the coup began, reminding citizens of the dramatic events that took place in 1974. Government officials, political parties, schools and communities organise ceremonies, speeches and educational activities to honour the victims and reflect on the lessons of history.
The day is also closely connected with the importance of protecting democracy. It serves as a reminder that political extremism, intolerance and interference in democratic institutions can have devastating consequences. The coup demonstrated how internal divisions and foreign involvement could destabilise a country and place its entire population in danger.
For many Cypriots, the 15th of July is not only a historical anniversary but also a deeply personal day. Those who lived through the events remember the sound of gunfire, military vehicles in the streets, radio announcements and the uncertainty surrounding the fate of President Makarios. Refugees and families of the missing connect the coup directly with the suffering that followed during the Turkish military operation and the continuing division of the island.
The memory of the 15th of July remains important for younger generations as well. Through education and public remembrance, young people are encouraged to understand the causes and consequences of the events of 1974. Learning about this period helps them appreciate the value of peace, democratic government, human rights and national unity.
The anniversary also encourages reflection on the need for reconciliation. Although the events of 1974 caused lasting pain among both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, many people continue to hope for a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem. Remembering the past is not only about honouring those who suffered, but also about preventing similar tragedies from happening again.
The 15th of July therefore stands as a solemn date in the history of Cyprus. It marks the violent overthrow of democracy, the beginning of a national tragedy and a turning point that changed the island forever. Its commemoration calls on Cypriots to defend democratic values, reject hatred and division, and continue working towards peace, stability and reunification.
