Every October 28, Greece celebrates Ohi Day, one of the country’s most symbolic national holidays. While it may sound simple, this single word, “Ohi” (Όχι), meaning “No,” marks a defining moment in modern Greek history, a day when courage, dignity, and unity stood against impossible odds, during one of Europe’s most difficult times.
For locals, the day is both a historical anniversary and a cultural tradition, reminding people how unity and resilience can define a nation. For visitors and foreign residents, it’s a moment to see Greece beyond its summer beauty.
What Happened on October 28, 1940?
In the early hours of October 28, 1940, during World War II, the Italian ambassador in Athens delivered an ultimatum to the Greek Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas. Italy, under Mussolini, demanded that Greece allow Axis forces to enter and occupy key strategic locations in the country.
Greece’s answer was a simple “No”. A few hours later, Italian troops invaded Greece through the Albanian border, and Greece entered the war. What followed surprised the world. Despite being vastly outnumbered and under-equipped, the Greek army pushed the Italian forces back into Albania. It was the first time during the war that an Axis power suffered defeat, boosting Allied morale across Europe. Winston Churchill famously remarked, “Hence we will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks.”
How Greece Celebrates Ohi Day Today
The 28th of October is a national public holiday in Greece, and it’s celebrated across the country with parades, ceremonies, and local events.
– Morning ceremonies are held at local churches and war memorials.
– Schoolchildren and students march in parades carrying Greek flags.
– In Thessaloniki, a large military parade takes place, while smaller ones happen throughout the country.
– Shops and public offices close, and families often spend the day together.
The day is also a moment for reflection. Families visit monuments and war memorials, schools hold educational events, and museums often host free exhibitions about World War II and Greece’s role in it. In addition, many Greek communities around the world celebrate the anniversary of the “No” vote.
For many Greeks, it’s also a chance to recognise the endurance of their parents and grandparents who lived through hardship, and to appreciate peace as something not to be taken for granted.
If you happen to be in Greece on October 28, you’ll notice:
– Flags on balconies and public buildings.
– Streets filled with people watching parades or attending small-town ceremonies.
October 28 is a day to honour the resistance struggle and its victims, an authentic struggle of Greek society against Nazism and fascism. Ohi Day is not just about saying “No” to these forms of oppression. It’s about saying “Yes” to courage, freedom, and solidarity. Whether you’re a visitor, an expat, or a homeowner, October 28 is the perfect day to pause, reflect, and understand a little more about Greece and its history.
