The military coup of 21 April 1967 overthrew the democratic regime and imposed a harsh dictatorship. Student reactions, sparked by the imposition of compulsory conscription on students engaged in union activities, effectively began with the occupation of the Law School of the University of Athens in February 1973, which was violently suppressed. On 14 November, the students decided to occupy the Polytechnic, chanting slogans such as “Down with the Junta,” “Democracy,” and “Bread – Education – Freedom.” Through their radio station, they called on the people of Athens to join a general strike and uprising. A large crowd gathered outside the Polytechnic in solidarity with the students. The junta deployed police forces and subsequently military units. In the early hours of 17 November, a tank broke through the main gate and entered the Polytechnic. A widespread crackdown followed throughout Athens, resulting in thousands of arrests, hundreds of injuries, and around 30 deaths. The Polytechnic Uprising marked the culmination of the anti-dictatorship struggle, led to the overthrow of dictator Papadopoulos, and accelerated the fall of the junta in July 1974.