October 26th, 1912 - The Liberation of Thessaloniki

The commander of the 8th Turkish army corps, Pasha Hassan Tahsin, signs the protocol officially surrendering Thessaloniki to the advancing Greek Army.

Over the next few hours, Greeks take possession of the Town Hall, while Constantine, the heir to the Greek throne, the General Staff and the 1st Division enter the city in triumph.

The Bulgarian army arrived one day after the surrender of the city to Greece. Pasha Hassan Tahsin informed the Bulgarians on their arrival into the city, that; "I have only one Thessaloniki, which I have surrendered".

Thessaloniki was founded in 315BC by King Kassandros, he gave the city the name of his wife, Thessaloniki, who was also Alexander the Great’s sister.

During the Greek War of Independence of 1821, then in 1854, 1878, 1896 and again in 1904, the Greeks had failed to regain control of Thessaloniki, Macedonia and much of Northern Greece.

Therefore, it was a momentous occasion for Greece and all Greeks, as for the first time since the 15th century, the Great Hellenic City of Thessaloniki, was once again in the hands of the Greeks and Macedonia would be re-united with the Greek nation.

The 26th of October is a double celebration for the City as it also coincides with the feast day of Thessaloniki’s Patron Saint, Saint Dimitrios.