Ohi Day or Oxi Day 'Anniversary of the No'

ΖΗΤΏ Η ΕΛΛΆΣ! Happy "OXI" Day to our Greek and Cypriot families. We hope you had a wonderful day celebrating on the 28th with family, friends and lots of delicious food!

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What is Ohi Day? Oxi Day (sometimes spelt Ohi or Ochi) is a national public holiday and commemorated on the 28th October every year in Greece, Cyprus and by Greeks around the world. 

On this day in 1940, the Prime Minister of Greece, Ioannis Metaxas denied Benito Mussolini’s request to allow Italian troops to cross the border into Greece. He responded to the Italian ultimatum in French, the diplomatic language at the time, “Alors, c’est la gueree!” or “Then it is War!”.

In the days following, the word of Metaxas’ denial had spread around the capital and the Greek population took to the streets shouting “Oxi!”. His decision made on 28th October 1940, is commemorated each year as a day that represents bravery, solidarity and heroism for millions of Greeks all around the world.

Oxi Day is a day of celebration and remembrance in Greece. On this day, Greeks celebrate by decorating their streets and balconies with Greek flags, watching patriotic movies on TV, listening to heroic songs on the radio, reciting poems in school, and enjoying parades.

Lisa Foster

Cultural Studies Specialist