Post by janiemou on Oct 28, 2022 17:10:22 GMT 2
The 28th October is a public holiday here in Greece where the nation celebrates the day that they said no to the Italian request to allow themselves to be invaded in the second world war.
Courtesy of Wikipedia
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's 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.
The day is celebrated with marches of bands and school children and the laying of wreaths at memorials. Then, in true Greek style, everyone goes to have a lunch with family friends and have a great celebratory party. Every district, town and city have their own marches, even on Mathraki where the only child there marches proudly with the Greek flag. It is a very joyful occassion, apart from the laying of the wreaths.
Some pictures from this morning's march in Acaharvi, where this year we had three brass band parading in front of local dignitaries and priests. It felt like everybody was there and the bars and restaurants were packed to capacity.
Courtesy of Wikipedia
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's 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.
The day is celebrated with marches of bands and school children and the laying of wreaths at memorials. Then, in true Greek style, everyone goes to have a lunch with family friends and have a great celebratory party. Every district, town and city have their own marches, even on Mathraki where the only child there marches proudly with the Greek flag. It is a very joyful occassion, apart from the laying of the wreaths.
Some pictures from this morning's march in Acaharvi, where this year we had three brass band parading in front of local dignitaries and priests. It felt like everybody was there and the bars and restaurants were packed to capacity.