February 17

Events

• 1914: The Greeks of Northern Epirus declare their independence in Argyrokastro.
• 1957: EOKA fighter Stylianos Lenas is wounded in a battle with British soldiers. He will die from his injuries on March 28.
• 1982: Civil wedding ceremonies are given equal status to religious ones in Greece.
• 2008: Ioannis Kasoulidis wins the first round of the Cyprus presidential elections with 33.51%. AKEL chairman, Dimitris Christofias places second with 33.29%. Incumbent President, Tasos Papadopoulos is eliminiated from the runoff as he places third with 31.79%.

Sports

• 1999: Nikos Polychronopoulos wins the gold medal at the European Juniors Billiard Championship in Murcia, Spain.
• 2007: Greek-Australian Michael Katsidis wins the World Boxing Organisation interim lightweight title by defeating Graham Earl.

Births

• 1962: Giorgos Douros, international referee.

Deaths

• 364: Jovian, Byzantine emperor
• 1936: Alexander Pantages, Greek-American businessman.
• 1946: Benjamin I, Patriarch of Constantinople