2018 – Democratic Party expels members over disagreements
On 5 February 2018, the Disciplinary Council of DIKO decided to expel several members: Marios Karoyian, Antigoni Papadopoulou, Giannos Lakkotrypis, Christos Flourentzos, Michalis Giakoumis, Marios Protopapas, Takis Gavriilidis, Giannos Tsappas, Tasos Kiteos, Andreas Chabakis, Antonis Antoniou (Savvas) and Takis Attipas. The dispute arose over their support for Nicos Anastasiades in the presidential elections.
1978 – February presidential elections never take place
The second scheduled presidential elections after the death of Archbishop Makarios, set for 5 February 1978, were never held. The kidnapping of Spyros Kyprianou’s son played a decisive role. Spyros Kyprianou assumed the presidency for a second consecutive term, again without an opponent, as Glafcos Clerides withdrew his candidacy as a gesture of political unity.
1969 – Founding of the Eniaio Komma (Unified Party)
On 5 February 1969, Glafcos Clerides officially announced the creation of the Unified Party. Archbishop Makarios issued his own statement welcoming “the initiative undertaken for the organisation of a political party of the national‑minded camp.”
Karamanlis - Menderes
1959 – Zurich talks begin on the Cyprus issue
On 5 February 1959, Greek and Turkish delegations began talks in Zurich to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. The delegations were led by the prime ministers of the two countries, Konstantinos Karamanlis and Adnan Menderes.
1950 – Heavy snowfall in Nicosia
On 4 and 5 February 1950, Nicosia experienced heavy snowfall, with snow reaching a depth of one foot.
1934 – Radio‑navigation service begins operating
Radio telegraphy appeared in Cyprus in 1933 with the installation of the coastal communications station Larnaca Radio by the British company Cable and Wireless, with call sign ZFE. The station officially began operations on 5 February 1934.
1919 – Spanish flu devastates Cyprus
The most severe wave of the Spanish Flu occurred between November 1918 and January 1919, affecting mountain villages as well as communities in the plains and coastal areas. According to the newspaper Mikrula on 5 February 1919, villages in the Pitsilia region such as Polystipos, Chandria and Platanistasa recorded one or two fatal cases every day.
1911 – Nikolaos Catalanos elected honorary president of Anorthosis
On 5 February 1911, Nikolaos Catalanos was elected the first honorary president of the Anorthosis association.
1896 – Capture of two “Hasamboulia” after clash with police
On 5 February 1896, police forces surrounded three Turkish Cypriot fugitives and bandits known as the Hasamboulia. During the clash, Kavounis was killed. His brother, the Kaymakam, was arrested along with Chousni Salih. Both were sentenced to death.
1884 – Onoufrios Iasonidis appointed translator in the Legislative Council
The lawyer Onoufrios Iasonidis was appointed Greek‑language translator in the Legislative Council, a development reported by the newspaper I Efimeris tis Kyprou on 5 February 1884. His appointment was interpreted as an anti‑national act by Cypriot nationalist circles, leading to clashes with two of them: Ar. Palaiologos, publisher of Alitheia, and the scholar and teacher A. Themistocleous.
Born on this day
1964 – Alexia
Cyprus Artist and performer
1919 – Andreas Papandreou
Prime Minister of Greece
1887 – Evelthon Pitsillides
Lawyer, journalist, prose writer and poet
Died on this day
2025 – Nina Iacovou
Ceramist and sculptor
1998 – Frixos Petrides
Minister of Education
1995 – Diomedes Galanos
Journalist
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