October 28th, 1940.....the OCHI of the Greeks to Axis

[akritas]

Celebrated throughout Greece on October 28 each year, Okhi Day (also spelled Ohi Day, Oxi Day, or Ochi Day, Greek: Επέτειος του «'Οχι», Anniversary of the "No") commemorates Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas's (in power from August 4, 1936 until January 29, 1941) refusal of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Mussolini on October 28, 1940.

This ultimatum, which was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador in Greece, Emanuele Grazzi, on October 28, 1940, at dawn (04:00 AM), after a party in the German embassy in Athens, demanded that 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 word: όχι or no. Most scholars dismiss the use of the word 'Okhi' as an urban legend, claiming that the actual reply was the French phrase "Alors, c'est la guerre" ("Then it is war"). In response to Metaxas's refusal, Italian troops stationed in Albania, then an Italian protectorate, attacked the Greek border at 05:30 AM. Metaxas's reply marked the beginning of Greece's participation in World War II (see Greco-Italian War and Battle of Greece).

On the morning of October 28th the Greek population took to the streets, irrespective of political affiliation, shouting 'okhi'. From 1942, it was celebrated as Okhi Day.

During the war, October 28 was commemorated yearly by Greek communities around the world and in Greece, and after WWII it became a public holiday in Greece. The events of 1940 are commemorated every year with military and student parades. On every anniversary, most public buildings and residences are decorated with Greek flags.




The Greek word for no is όχι ['o̞.çi], where ό is stressed and pronounced 'oh'; χ is pronounced similar to the 'ch' in the German ich — ι is pronounced like the 'e' in 'he'. ok hi.

[Ehetlaios]

Χρόνια πολλά ρε. Σ'όλους.

[Amarantos]

OCHI Day national anniversary celebrated throughout Greece

The October 28 national holiday was celebrated with parades throughout Greece on Sunday, with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias expressing his optimism that the country can achieve any goals its sets, no matter how ambitious, because it has endless abilities, provided it leaves behind self-centred practices and attitudes, speaking after the traditional military parade in Thessaloniki.

National defence minister Evangelos Meimarakis, who represented the government at the Thessaloniki parade, stressed that Greece wishes to live peacefully in the international environment, and responded with dialogue to intransigence.

The October 28 "Ochi Day" national holiday, commemorating the anniversary of Greece's resounding "Ochi" (no) to then Italian dictator Mussolini's demand for free passage to invade Greece during World War II, which brought Greece into the war on the Allied side, was also celebrated throughout the rest of the country with students' parades. On Oct. 28, 1940, fascist Italy presented Greece with the ultimatum, but Greek leader Ioannis Metaxas tersely refused, and the country not only denied Mussolini's forces free passage, it went on the offensive in mid-November and drove the opposing forces back through part of southern Albania.

The Thessaloniki parade was also attended by political party representatives, the Armed Forces leadership, MPs, and foreign diplomats.

In a statement after the parade, Papoulias said that "on such days, we devote more time to think about what the struggling Greek people accomplished".

"This inspires us, and an aura of optimism pervades us that this land, this country, this people, have endless abilities, provided we leave behind us self-centred practices and attitudes, and instead draw examples from the struggle of those people who fought for our liberty and independence," the President said, adding that "today's momentous military parade showed that the Armed Forces are the guarantor of or national independence, the security of our borders, and the domestic tranquility of our people".

He said that it was up to the people, "inspired by the struggles of those who gave their lives so that we may live better, to engage in a creative new era", adding that he was optimistic that "together, we can achieve all our goals, regardless of how ambitious they are".

In his own statement after the parade commemorating "the most glorious page of our history", the defence minister said that Greece was sending out the message that the country "wishes to live peacefully in this international environment, with good neighbour relations, and to serve the principles of the pan-human values".

"We are sending a message that the Armed Forces are forces of peace. They are forces that guarantee the freedom and independence of the Greek people. The Greek citizens, and the visitors to our country, may feel safe," he said.

Meimarakis also stressed that investments in the Armed Forces were an investment in peace "precisely because these Armed Forces avert any thought of any claims (against the country) and manifest that they can do their duty whenever it is necessary to do so".

Where others put forward quantity, he said, Greece put forward "quality and professionalism, excellent training, morale, mettle and, above all, the belief that we are fighting for that which is fair and just", adding that "this morale can be victorious over any quantity".

"To intransigence, we respond with dialogue, arguments and conviction. And let no one think that this is weakness. We insist on the principles of dialogue, and persist in living peacefully. I believe that this message is received by everyone," Meimarakis said.

Main opposition PASOK representative Haris Kastanidis said after the parade that "wars are won by those who defend principles and values, and are lost by those who act as predators, in the name of violence".

Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis said that "those who do not hear the voice of Greece can see the strength of its Armed Forces. The better they see, the better for all".

Thessaloniki Prefect Panayotis Psomiadis said that this year's magnificent parade "is the best response to all those rusty minds that do not want the continuity of Hellenism, to those fools who consider that patriotism is nationalism".

The President later attended a luncheon in his honour hosted by Thessaloniki mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, with other guests including Meimarakis, Psomiadis and the Armed Forces leadership.

Toasting the President, Papageorgopoulos said that Thessaloniki was on an upward course and winning the battle for development, with a plethora of projects currently underway. He also noted the environmental problems faced by Thessaloniki.

Papoulias replied that, every time he visited Thessaloniki, he saw "something new", but also noted that growth had a negative side, namely repercussions on the environment, and stressed the need for creating a new social conscience on environmental protection that needs to begin "from kindergarten".



Student parades in Athens, Patras



The central student parade was held in downtown Athens, attended by education minister Evrypides Stylianidis, in central Syntagma Square, with the participation also of the country's Special Olympics athletes, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra.

Stylianidis stressed that the "large, voluntary and enthusiastic participation of the Greek youth in today's parade proves that our country's young generation is taught and inspired by the generation of their forefathers...this strengthens the hope and confidence of modern-day Greece".

PASOK representative Christos Papoutsis said that the October 28 national anniversary "reminds the country, the nation and the people that hold on to the values of independence and freedom, that in no instance should they limit freedom in our actions, thoughts and lives".

The parade was also attended by Athens mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis, Athens-Piraeus supra-prefect Dina Bei, Athens prefect Yannis Sgouros, political party representatives, and representatives of the Armed Forces and Security Corps.

Tourism development minister Aris Spiliotopoulos represented the government at the student parade in the western port city of Patras, after which he said such anniversaries served to remind the people that "those things which unite us are far more than those that divide us, in the face of the challenges of the times".

He stressed that "even in the face of the harshest challenges in our neighbourhood, we know that, if we unite our powers, we can achieve much".




OCHI Day national anniversary celebrated throughout Greece

[Amarantos]

Photos from the rehearsals that took place on 24/10/2007, for the Thessaloniki parade for the OXI day.

[nsminc]

[nsminc]

[johnalexis]

Does anyone on this forum have a link to information concerning the women on Mt. Pindus who helped our soldiers?

I intend to write a book using the storyof these brave women as a base. I am interested in the daily lives of the people in this region, the conditions in which the women took part in the conflict, whose decision it was, etc.

Anything that is relevant would be helpful, including general information concerning this time period and this area of Greece.

Thanks

John

[chicagogeorge]

Pics from the Oxi parade, 28 of October, Thessaloniki: