December 15

Events

• 1803: The Souliotes are forced to abandon Souli after being defeated by Ali Pasha. The latter would break his truce and trap some of them at Zaloggo.
• 1920: Britain and France announce that, after the return of King Constantine I, they are no longer responsible for the presence of the Greek army in Asia Minor.
• 1942: The British destroyer HMS Petard and Coast defense battleship Vasilissa Olga sink the Italian submarine Uarsciek (620 tons) south of Malta, towards the area of Benghazi, Libya.
• 1955: The battle of Soloi is fought during the EOKA struggle against the British in Cyprus. Charalambos Mouskos is killed (first fatality of the struggle).
• 1964: Parliamentarians are obligated from now on to an annual declaration of assets or an origin of wealth (pothen esches - πόθεν έσχες) - the measures are implemented to combat corruption.
• 1971: Panathinaikos, representing Europe, draw 1-1 against Nacional of Montevideo in the first leg of the Intercontinental Cup. The lone green goal was scored by Totis Fylakouris. Yiannis Tomaras is seriously injured with a broken leg.
• 1978: The International Court of Justice at The Hague declares itself to be without authority to act on the matter of the Aegean continental shelf.
• 1981: PLO leader Yasser Arafat visits Athens on an invitation by Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.

Births

• 1933: Akis Panou, songwriter.

Deaths

• 1025: Byzantine emperor Basil II, known as "the Bulgar-slayer".
• 1955: Charalambos Mouskos, Cypriot freedom fighter.