Ochi Day: The Day Greece Said No to Fascism and Yes to Freedom

The National Day of 28th October, also known as Ochi Day, is a public holiday in Greece. Do you know what we commemorate on that day? The country’s refusal to surrender to the Axis powers during World War II.

 On this day in 1940, the Italian ambassador presented an ultimatum to the Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas, demanding that Italian troops be allowed to enter Greece and occupy strategic locations. Metaxas famously replied with a single word: “Ochi,” meaning “No.” This refusal led to Greece’s entry into World War II and the Greek-Italian War.

The Greeks fought bravely against the fascist forces for almost eight months (219 days) before they were eventually defeated by the Germans in April 1941. This period is known as the Greco-Italian War or the Italo-Greek War. 

The day is celebrated throughout Greece with parades, speeches, and other events. Schoolchildren dress up in traditional costumes and march in parades, while military units also participate. The largest parade takes place in Athens, where thousands of people gather to watch the procession.

In addition to the parades, there are also wreath-laying ceremonies at war memorials throughout the country. The most famous of these is at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, where the President of Greece lays a wreath in honor of those who died fighting for their country.

If you are in Athens on this day, you can enjoy the big parade in front of Syntagma which starts at 11:00. You will have the chance to see Military units, including armored vehicles, tanks, infantry, and special forces, as well as groups dressed in the traditional Greek costumes.