He truly made a difference in Greece - even with his own life on the line.

A world class athlete in his youth, during World War II, Lambrakis was a member of the Greek resistance, and also organized athletic competitions and used the revenue fund public food banks.

After the war, Lambrakis completed his medical studies, and steadily became more politically involved. He was a strong pacifist, and very active in the EDA, the only legal left wing party in Greece. In 1961 he was elected to parliament. His anti-war and pacifist activism increased over the next two years.

In 1963, while making a speech at an anti-war meeting, two far-right extemists struck him over the head with a club from the back of a moving vehicle in plain view of the police and hundreds of witnesses.

Lambrakis' funeral saw more than half a million people protesting against the right-wing government. Forced to investigate, prosecutors found links between the police and army to the assassins. The Greek Prime Minister resigned, and a new political movement was created in Lambrakis memory, which attracted thousands of members and played a key role in the progressive movement in Greece.

The events inspired Vassilikos novel "Z" and the movie made of it. Lambrakis remains a national symbol of democracy in Greece.