Ohi Day
Ohi Day (Ημέρα | |
---|---|
Observed by | Greece, Cyprus, and Greek diaspora |
Celebrations | Family reunions, military and student parades |
Date | 28 October |
Next time | 28 October 2024 |
Frequency | Annual |
Ohi Day (Greek: Επέτειος
Ultimatum
[edit]This ultimatum, which was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador to Greece, Emanuele Grazzi, shortly after 03:00 am on 28 October 1940, who had just come from a party in the Italian embassy in Athens, demanded Greece 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!).[1][2]
In response to Metaxas' 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 28 October, the Greek population took to the streets, irrespective of political affiliation, shouting 'ohi'. From 1942, it was celebrated as Ohi Day, first mostly among the members of the resistance and after the war by all the Greeks.
Anniversary
[edit]During the war, 28 October was commemorated yearly in Greece and Cyprus, as well as by Greek communities around the world. 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 and on every anniversary, most public buildings and residences are decorated with national flags. Schools and all places of work are closed.[3][4]
In popular culture
[edit]- Kontserto gia polyvola (1967)
- Ohi (1969)
- The Battle of Crete (1970)
- October 28th, Time 5:30 (1975)
- Lieutenant Natasha (1970)
- Oi gennaioi tou Vorra (1970)
- The Mediterranean in Flames (1970)
- Submarine Papanikolis (1971)[5]
- The title track from Sabaton's Coat of Arms is about Ohi Day
- Greek-American Comedian Yannis Pappas & His Mr. Panos "Oxi Day" Routine (2010)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Δημήτρης Σταθακόπουλος (25 October 2014). ""Alors, c'est la guerre" "επομένως πόλεμος", ή αλλιώς
τ ο λεγόμενοΟ Χ Ι " ["Alors, c'est la guerre" "therefore war", or otherwise the so-called NO]. Καλάβρυτα NEWS [KALAVRITA - NEWS] (in Greek). Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015. - ^ "
Ο χ ι . alors c'est la guerre" [No. alors c'est la guerre]. Iefimerida (in Greek). 25 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2015. - ^ "October 28 Holiday In Greece - Oxi Day". XPat Athens. 22 October 2018. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- ^ "OHI Day - The 28th of October |
Η Μέρατ ο υ Ο Χ Ι -Η 28η Οκτωβρίου". I Learn Greek. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2019. - ^ "Αγαπημένες ελληνικές ταινίες
γ ι α τ ο έποςτ ο υ '40" [Favorite Greek movies about the 40's epic]. Newpost.gr. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2017.