AHEPA Empire State District Six
Educational Series: Honoring the Spirit of OXI Day
On behalf of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), we invite you to learn about a pivotal moment in world history that exemplifies courage and resilience: OXI Day.
For our non-Greek friends, you may be wondering, what does this word mean, and why does an entire nation pause to remember it every year on October 28th?
“OXI” (pronounced “O-hi”) simply means “NO.” But on October 28, 1940, this single word became a powerful symbol of defiance against tyranny.
The Historical Moment
In the early days of World War II, fascist forces swept across Europe. After Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany had achieved swift victories, his ally, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, sought to expand his own empire. He set his sights on Greece, demanding that Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas allow Italian troops to enter and occupy the country.
The ultimatum was delivered to Metaxas in the early hours of October 28, 1940. His response was immediate and resolute: “OXI!” – No.
This refusal was not just a political decision; it was a rallying cry for the entire Greek nation. Knowing full well that saying “no” to a military superpower would mean war, the Greek people chose freedom over submission.
The Outcome and Its Global Impact
The Italian army invaded hours later, expecting an easy victory. However, they were met with fierce and unexpected resistance. Greek soldiers, alongside civilian volunteers, fought bravely in the treacherous mountain ranges of Epirus. Against all odds, they not only halted the Italian advance but pushed the invaders back into Albania, achieving the first major Allied land victory of the war.
This act of defiance had profound consequences:
• It disrupted Hitler’s timeline for his European campaign.
• It forced Nazi Germany to divert crucial military resources to invade Greece through Yugoslavia, delaying their planned invasion of the Soviet Union. Many historians believe this delay contributed to the German army’s disastrous winter on the Eastern Front.
• It provided a tremendous moral boost to all Allied nations, proving that the Axis powers could be beaten.
As British Prime Minister Winston Churchill famously declared:
“Hence we will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks.”
How We Honor This Day Today
For Greeks around the world, OXI Day is a national holiday and a day of immense pride. It is a celebration of the core Hellenic values of freedom, courage, and the unwavering defense of one’s homeland.
Traditions include:
• Parades: Schoolchildren, students, and armed forces march in parades in every town and city.
• Church Services: Special services are held to honor the memory of those who fought and fell.
• Flying the Greek Flag: Homes and buildings are adorned with the blue and white flag.
At AHEPA, whose mission is to promote Hellenism, education, and civic responsibility, OXI Day is a cornerstone of our heritage. We remember the bravery of those who stood firm for democracy and draw inspiration from their example to serve our communities today.
We remember the past to inform our present and inspire our future.
On October 28th, we remember the power of a single word to change the world: OXI.