Ohi Day

Ohi Day
Observed by	Greece, Cyprus, and greek diaspora
Celebrations	family reunions, military and student parades
Date	October 28
Next time	28 October 2024 (2024-10-28)
Frequency	annual

Emblem of the 8th Infantry Division, the first unit to face the Italian invasion: its motto is Ohi.

'Ohi Day' (pronounced Ohi Day, Greek: Επέτειος του «'Οχι» Greek pronunciation: [epˈetios tu ˈoçi] Epeteios tou "'Ohi", Anniversary of the "No") is celebrated throughout Greece, Cyprus and the Greek communities around the world on October 28 each year. Ohi Day commemorates the rejection by Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on October 28, 1940, the Hellenic counterattack against the invading Italian forces at the mountains of Pindus during the Greco-Italian War, and the Greek Resistance during the Axis occupation.

Ultimatum

This ultimatum, which was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador to Greece, fr, shortly after 03:00 am on 28 October 1940, who had just came from a party in the German embassy in Athens, demanded Greece to allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain unspecified "strategic locations" or otherwise face war. It was allegedly answered with a single laconic word: όχι (No!). However, his actual reply was, “Alors, c’est la guerre!” (Then it is war!).

In response to Metaxas's refusal, Italian troops stationed in Albania, then an Italian protectorate, attacked the Greek border at 05:30 am—the beginning of Greece's participation in World War II (see Greco-Italian War and the Battle of Greece).

On the morning of October 28 the Greek population took to the streets, irrespective of political affiliation, shouting 'ochi'. From 1942, it was celebrated as Ohi Day.

File:Porosoxiday.jpg

The Greek island of Poros decorated in recognition of Ohi Day

Anniversary

During the war, October 28 was commemorated yearly by Greek communities around the world and in Greece and Cyprus, and after World War II it became a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus. The events of 1940 are commemorated every year with military and student parades. On every anniversary, most public buildings and residences are decorated with Greek flags.

Cultural references

The novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin features a fictionalized account of the meeting between Metaxas and Grazzi, written from Grazzi's point of view. The metal band Sabaton reference this event in the title track of their album Coat of Arms.

See also

• Axis occupation of Greece
• Battle of Greece
• Greco-Italian War