The National Resistance Period and the Liberation

In 1922 the Italians tried to carry out a census but the people of Kalymnos resisted. In 1924 the Italian administration attempted to impose the Italian nationality but the Kalymnians reacted negatively to that move, too.

In 1926 the Italian government asked for the introduction of the Italian language in schools. This request was not accepted, though. Mih. Neokl. Kalavros, the first 'Dimogerondas', Drosos Kolettis - Tavlarios, the solicitor of 'Dimogerondia' and the upcoming first 'Dimogerondas', Gian. Kl. Zervos, the Headmaster of Nikiforio High School, Dr. Theofilos Neokl. Kolettis and the well - known, great Kalymnian artist and painter Mihalis Alahouzos, became exiled to Athens by the Italian government because of their strong objection to the teaching of the Italian language in Greek schools. After that, it was decided that the Italian language would be taught in schools only a few hours a week as a foreign language. The Kalymnian students, guided by their parents, would not learn the language, so by the time they graduated from High School they weren't even able to spell Italian.

1935 though, was a difficult year for the island, full of struggle and violence. That's the year when the Italian language was imposed in schools. The Greek teachers continued to teach Greek, either in their houses or at schools, even though they realised how dangerous that was.

During the Italian oppresion in Kalymnos, Giorgis Mangos, Ant. Economou, Nikolas Sk. Rigas and Mih. Alahouzos formed a union which was named as ' National Union of Kalymnos ', in order to preserve the national zeal and the desire to be united with Greece. In 1935 this union printed and issued proclamations which were signed as ' the People ' or ' Students' Committee of Nikifirios High School ', trying to make the people realise the significance of their cause.

The ' National Union of Kalymnos ' since its formation and until it was introduced to the 'Dodecanesean Peoples' Union of National Restoration ' kept in touch with the Greek Government. Giannis and Skevos Koutroulis and Antonis Kouskoutis were responsible for this contact. The Union followed the instructions given by the government and informed the people of Kalymnos. It also raised money to help those who were in danger because of their beliefs and even bought Greek books for the Kalymnian children when the Italians forbade the teaching of the Greek language in schools. Moreover, it supported the Kalymnian teachers who undertook the difficult task of teaching the ' forbidden language '.

Fascism and violence were no longer parts of the Kalymnian life. Germany had totally collapsed. The Political Secretariat of the ' D.P.U.N.R.' held a meeting with the Committee of the Organisation in order to make important decisions about taking over the authority; a significant move which meant that the Kalymnians had finally liberated from their oppressors after many years of struggling. According to the People's right to self-arrangement, the Committee announced their union with Greece.

On the 8th of May 1945, the armed forces of ' D.P.U.N.R. ' and the young Kalymnians seized the commissioner's office and after taking down the Italian flag, raised the immortal symbol of Liberation; the Greek flag.

The Political Secretariat decided that rules of justice should be enforced and that a Civil Guard should be set up for the maintenance of order. In that way, the proclamations set rules and the armed forces of the ' D.P.U.N.R. ' formed the Civil Guard. The Political Secretariat undertook the 'Greek Political Administration of Kalymnos '.

On the 9th of May 1945, at 10:30 in the morning, in Christos the Kalymnians attended the mass at the Cathedral. After the mass, the armed forces of the Organisation marched past. On the next day, people enjoyed a parade of all the schools of the island where the teachers and the students marched proudly holding their flags.

It was the beginning of a new era for Kalymnos.