Ohi Day
October 28
About Ohi Day
Ohi Day, also written as Oxi Day and known in English as “No” Day, is a national holiday celebrated across Greece, Cyprus, and Greek communities worldwide on 28 October. It commemorates the moment in 1940 when Greece refused an ultimatum from Fascist Italy and entered the Second World War, a single defiant word that came to symbolise a nation’s courage.
The Story Behind Ohi Day
In the early hours of 28 October 1940, shortly after three o’clock in the morning, the Italian ambassador to Greece, Emanuele Grazzi, left a party at the Italian embassy in Athens and called on the Greek prime minister, Ioannis Metaxas. Grazzi delivered an ultimatum from the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, demanding that Axis forces be allowed to enter and occupy unspecified “strategic locations” within Greece. The alternative was war.
Metaxas, reading the demand, replied in French, the diplomatic language of the day, with the words “Alors, c’est la guerre”, meaning “Then it is war”. Though his actual response was a formal sentence, popular memory distilled it into a single Greek word: “Ohi”, meaning “No”. The Greek press seized on that word, and on 30 October 1940 the newspaper Helliniko Mellon ran “No” as its headline, cementing the phrase in the national imagination.
The refusal carried enormous consequences. Within hours, Italian troops invaded Greece from Albania, beginning the Greco-Italian War. Against the odds, the Greek army not only held the line but pushed the invaders back into Albania, keeping Axis forces out of Greece for almost six months. It was one of the first significant setbacks suffered by the Axis powers in the war, and it gave heart to a continent under occupation.
The anniversary was first marked in 1942, during the German occupation, when it was observed quietly by members of the resistance. After the war it became a national holiday, and it has been celebrated openly and proudly ever since, both in Greece and among the worldwide Greek diaspora.
When and Where is Ohi Day Celebrated?
Ohi Day takes place on 28 October every year. In 2026 it falls on a Wednesday. It is a national public holiday in both Greece and Cyprus and is observed by Greek-speaking communities around the world. The day is celebrated with particular splendour in Thessaloniki, where the main military parade is held, a choice that also honours the anniversary of the city’s liberation from Ottoman rule.
Traditions and Customs
Ohi Day is one of the great patriotic occasions of the Greek calendar, marked with ceremony and community spirit.
- Student parades – Schoolchildren march through towns and cities across Greece and Cyprus, often carrying flags and dressed in their finest.
- The Thessaloniki military parade – The country’s main armed forces parade takes place in Thessaloniki rather than Athens, linking the day to the city’s own liberation.
- Flag displays – Public buildings and central streets are decorated with the blue and white of the Greek flag.
- Church services – Religious services are held to remember those who fought and fell, blending faith and national memory.
- Community gatherings – Towns hold commemorations and cultural events celebrating sovereignty and resilience.
Ways to Celebrate Ohi Day
Whether you are Greek by heritage or simply drawn to the story, there are many ways to honour the occasion.
- Learn the history – Read about the Greco-Italian War and the resistance that followed to understand the courage the day commemorates.
- Attend a parade – If you are in Greece or Cyprus, join the crowds lining the streets for the student and military parades.
- Fly the flag – Display the Greek flag at home or share its blue and white colours online.
- Cook Greek food – Prepare traditional dishes and gather friends and family for a meal in the spirit of the day.
- Honour the fallen – Take a quiet moment to remember those who defended their country during the war.
- Share the story – Tell others about the meaning of “Ohi” and why a single word still resonates more than eighty years on.
Facts and Figures
- The ultimatum was delivered to Ioannis Metaxas shortly after 3am on 28 October 1940.
- Metaxas’s actual reply was the French phrase “Alors, c’est la guerre”, later remembered simply as “Ohi” (No).
- The word “No” first appeared as a newspaper headline in Helliniko Mellon on 30 October 1940.
- Greek forces kept Axis troops out of the country for almost six months following the refusal.
- Ohi Day has been commemorated annually since 1942, becoming a national holiday after the Second World War.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ohi Day?
Ohi Day, or “No” Day, is a Greek and Cypriot national holiday on 28 October. It commemorates Greece’s refusal of Mussolini’s 1940 ultimatum and its subsequent resistance during the Second World War.
When is Ohi Day in 2026?
It takes place on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The date is fixed and falls on 28 October every year.
Why is it called Ohi Day?
“Ohi” is the Greek word for “No”. It captures the spirit of Greece’s refusal to surrender to the Italian ultimatum of 1940, even though the formal reply was given in French.
Spread the Word
Share Ohi Day with your community using #OhiDay and #OhiDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion with a parade, a flag, or a shared Greek meal, every act of remembrance helps keep this proud tradition alive. If you enjoy days that celebrate Greek and Mediterranean heritage, you might also love Cyprus Independence Day, another important date for the Greek-speaking world.
Related Awareness Days
- Cyprus Independence Day – A national day for Cyprus, which also observes Ohi Day, falling earlier in October.
- National Baklava Day – Celebrates a pastry beloved across Greece and the wider Mediterranean.
- National Flag Day – Honours national flags and the identity and pride they represent.
Links
Featured image: Photo by Muzykalne Podróże on Unsplash.
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