On February 11, 1776, Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece, is born in Corfu

"As long as my personal income is enough to live on, I refuse to touch even one cent of public money while we are in the midst of ruins and people sunk in absolute poverty."

On February 11, 1776, Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece, is born in Corfu.

He studied medicine, philosophy, and law in Italy, and at the age of 25, he became one of the two governors of the Ionian State (Septinsular Republic). From this position, he revised the Heptanesian constitution, making it more democratic.

Shortly afterward, he was appointed Chief Minister of State by the Senate of the Ionian State and reorganized public administration emphasizing on education.

In 1807 he goes to Lefkada to protect the island from Ali Pasha. In Lefkada, he met Kolokotronis, Nikitaras, Botsaris, and Androutsos, the later leaders of the Revolution.

Two years later, he is appointed diplomat by Russia, and following his outstanding accomplishments, in 1816, the Tsar offers him the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire for six years. However, after he clashed with Tsar Alexander, who did not support the Greek Revolution, he resigned his post and fled to Switzerland, where he was declared an honorary citizen of the country.

On March 30, 1827, the National Assembly of Troizin elected him Governor of the newly-established Greek State. After numerous negotiations with European leaders, he managed to secure their support for the Greek people's demand for independence.

Upon his return to Greece, the people welcomed him with admiration and great expectations.
From his new post, he began to build the new Greek state de novo.

The main pillars of his policies were the establishment of courts for the administration of justice, the reform of the army, eradicating piracy, and restructuring agriculture.

He founded the National Financial Bank, established the phoenix as the Greek currency, founded the National Mint, the first Greek post office.

On September 17, 1831, Ioannis Kapodistrias was assassinated in front of the church of Agios Spyridonas in Nafplion by Konstantinos and Georgios Mavromihalis.