January 1

Events

• 1822: During the Greek War of Independence, the First National Council meets and decides upon a constitution. The colours of the Greek flag are to be blue and white.
• 1981: Greece officially becomes the 10th member of the European Union.
• 2002: The euro replaces the drachma as the currency of Greece.

Births

• 1912: Nikiforos Vrettakos, poet

Deaths

• 379: Saint Basil

Namesday

• Saint Basil