National Όχι day, 28th October

National Όχι! day is one of the most important historical dates in the Greek calendar, not just for Zakynthians, but for Greeks worldwide. Every year it is remembered and traditionally celebrated, staying firmly in the hearts and minds of Greeks everywhere.
 
But what is National Όχι day?
The 28 October 1940 is an important date in the Greek calendar. It’s when Greece officially found themselves at war with Italy during World War Two.
 
In 1940 war was progressing across Europe ending up at Greece’s borders. Greece refused to bow to Mussolini. Italian soldiers based along the Albanian border attacked Greece by crossing it and pulling Greece into a war they had desperately hoped to avoid.
 
As history goes, Emanoule Gratsi, the Italian Ambassador to Greece, presented an ultimatum to Ioannis Metaxas on 28 October 1940 at 3:00am, demanding that Greece allow Italian (Axis) forces to enter Greece, via strategic locations along the border. Part of the ultimatum was that if Greece refused the demand, then the Italian Army would have no choice but to enter the country by force.
 
Stories of that day state that the answer Ioannis Metaxas gave to Emanoule Gratsi’s ultimatum was just one word – “Όχι!” (No). Emanoule Gratsi accepted the answer from Ioannis Metaxas and left. The result of Ioannis Metaxas’ single word response was an Italian attack on the Greek border in Albania at 5.30am, which resulted in Italian troops crossing the border, officially invading Greece and bringing the country into World
War Two.
 
Newspaper headlines on 30 October 1940, by the paper “Elliniko Mellon” by Eustratiou, were printed with a huge Όχι! spread across the page. When the Greek people heard what had happened, they made their feelings known and they filled the streets and responded with a simple protest, Όχι! regardless of what political side they fell on. Across Greece, the Greek people stood up for themselves and vocally protested at the invasion that had taken place, and they resisted the Italian Army where they could.
 
In the months that followed, the Greek army not only resisted this Italian invasion but also pushed the Italians back into Albania — marking one of the first Allied victories of WW2. Sadly, however it wasn’t for long, as WW2 continued and became worse. and Eventually, the whole of Greece, including Zakynthos, was invaded by the Italians. This pushed the country into a horrible war that would last for years. The Greek people fought bravely, and hard, and didn’t make things easy for the Italians, but in the end the enemy won, and Greece finally fell becoming a conquered country under Axis powers, and eventually, Germans rule.
 
In 1942 the Greek resistance, who had become a strong enemy to the Axis powers created Όχι! day – on the 28 October – as a reminder of Metaxas’ brave response to Gratsi, and they continued to celebrate it every year throughout the war. It was an important celebration and tradition, that continued after WW2 ended, and still does today.

Is National Όχι day still celebrated?
Yes! National Όχι! day is now celebrated in Greek communities throughout the world, from Australia to the USA. In these countries, Greek communities will also hold commemorations, celebrating Greek courage, independence, and unity in the face of oppression.
It’s a national public holiday in Greece and Cyprus, and many schools, businesses, and government offices close for the day, because it’s an important day that reminds Greek people of what their families fought for, how they voiced their brave protest, and how they tried to stand up for what was right. It’s a day to honour Greek values and the passion for all that Greece stands for.

National Όχι!  day is incredibly important and it’s a day that will always be remembered and stay in the hearts and minds of every Greek. Nowadays Greeks celebrate by marking the day by laying wreaths and parades and official residences/buildings proudly fly the Greek flag.

However you choose to spend National Όχι!  day, we wish you a wonderful day.