Set of 2 Historical Documents: 1. Constantine King of Greece and the Establishment of the Ministry of Health (WWII Era) Historical Document: Type: Original Royal Decree Date: September 18, 1946 Location: Athens Signatures: Handwritten signatures of Regent Archbishop Damaskinos and Minister of Health Efstathios Malamidas Dimensions: 34cm x 22cm Pages: 4 This decree marks a significant administrative milestone in Greece’s post-World War II reconstruction, specifically the formal establishment of the Ministry of Health, vital for rebuilding Greece’s healthcare system after the turmoil of war and occupation. & 2. Hand Signed Ministerial Note of Minister of War Panagiotis Mavromichalis to his College Minister of Health Aristides Kalatyakos) Dated: Athens, 22nd June of 1946 Including original ministerial envelop! ---------- Historical Context of Greek Monarchy & Political Climate: King George II: Born July 19, 1890 Reigned: 27 September 1922 – 25 March 1924, and again from 25 November 1935 until his death on 1 April 1947 Son of Constantine I and Princess Sophia of Prussia His reign was interrupted by exile, political upheavals, and a brief abolition of the monarchy Timeline of Key Events: 1917: Exile following the National Schism; his younger brother Alexander becomes king 1920: Restoration of Constantine I after Alexander’s death 1923: Greco-Turkish War leads to instability; Constantine I is exiled after a failed royalist coup March 1924: Greece becomes a republic; Constantine is formally deposed and loses Greek nationality 1935: Monarchy restored via referendum; Constantine resumes his royal duties 1936: Supports Ioannis Metaxas’ dictatorship (4th of August Regime) 1946: Greek monarchy restored amidst post-war reconstruction efforts Archbishop Damaskinos Papandreou: Born Dimitrios Papandreou (1891–1949) Served as Archbishop of Athens from 1941 to 1949 Acted as Regent of Greece from 1944 (post-German occupation withdrawal) until 1946 Played a pivotal role during Greece’s transition from occupation to civil unrest Efstathios Malamidas: Born 1890, died 1966 Physician and politician Known as "barba-Stathis," symbolizing his role as a protector of the weak Founded important health institutions, including the sanatorium and General Hospital of Lamia Significance: The royal decree of 1946 reflects Greece’s efforts to reestablish its governmental institutions after the devastation of WWII and the occupation. The creation of the Ministry of Health was a critical step in rebuilding the nation’s healthcare infrastructure, with notable figures like Efstathios Malamidas contributing significantly to this process.