Ochi Day: What is Ohi Day? History and Significance of the Oxi Day

Ochi Day (Ohi Day or Oxi Day or Ημέρα του όχι) is celebrated all through Greece, Cyprus, and Greek communities the world over on October 28. This is a national holiday, that has a huge significance to the Greek country to remember the renowned proclamation made by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas during the Second World War.

The celebration of Ochi Day is associated with the events of October 28, 1940. The Italian ambassador to Greece introduced Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas an ultimatum demanding Greece to permit Axis powers to enter its region and possess some unsure key locations, in any case, Italy would pronounce war on Greece. Prime Minister of Greece addressed this ultimatum with a solitary word “όχι” (“No!”).

Because of this refusal, Italian soldiers assaulted Greece, consequently including it in World War II. On October 28, 1940, Greeks rioted and yelled “Ochi” (“No”), and this anniversary is praised as Ochi Day.

Ochi Day History

The word ‘Ochi’ basically signifies ‘No’. It is the word Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas utilized in 1940 to Mussolini’s representative when inquired as to whether Axis forces could use the Greek domain to access territories of Europe not already involved by Hitler and Mussolini. Metaxas robustly said ‘No!’

Prime Minister Metaxas had purposely put forth a valiant effort to keep Greece neutral in the early months of World War II, yet the ultimatum tipped any opportunity of allegiance, and Greece got aligned with Great Britain.

Before this, Metaxas may have decided to go in any case. Actually, he had joined Germany dependent on his initial education. He had likewise opposed Greece getting associated with World War I and had would not support the Allies in the Dardanelles Campaign.

The ultimatum made a huge difference and Greece ended up being a solid power against the Germans and Italians, encouraging the Allies’ recapturing of Albania.

Cities and towns across Cyprus and Greece observe Ochi Day with military parades that nearby down most centers. In Nicosia, Cyprus, school students, and veterans walk in a parade and carry banners and the flags of Cyprus and Greece. Political speeches are made and the day is focused on celebrating the heroes of the country.

Cyprus especially considers the day as one to remember the bravery of the individuals who walked before, yet to focus on the future and to believe that its people can have strong and independent freedom and prosperity.

In October 1940, Benito Mussolini, the fascist dictator of Italy, supported by Germany, demanded to possess Greece. General Ioannis Metaxas broadly reacted “Ochi!” – “No!” in Greek.

That “No!” carried Greece into the second world war on the Allies. Undoubtedly, for a period, Greece was Britain’s just partner against Hitler.

In addition to the fact that Greece rebuked Mussolini’s demands, yet they additionally held onto the hostile and drove the Italians back through the vast majority of Albania.

Had Metaxas not said “No!”, it is doubtful that the Second World War may have endured any longer. One hypothesis is that had Greece given up with no obstruction, it would have empowered Hitler to have attacked Russia in the spring, instead of his terrible attempt to take it during winter.

Talking in 2019, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated: “October 28 is not just another opportunity to honor our glorious past; it is an opportunity to demonstrate our current understanding of the unity of Hellenism.”

The celebration of Ochi Day became a public holiday after the end of the war.