Every year on 28 October, Greece and Cyprus remember a moment of defiance that became a lasting symbol of courage, freedom and national identity. But what really happened on Ochi Day, and why does this anniversary hold such special significance for Cyprus?
Every October, Greek flags appear in streets and schoolyards, students prepare for parades, and communities come together to commemorate Ochi Day. In Cyprus, the anniversary is especially meaningful, connecting the island’s Greek cultural heritage with a defining moment in modern European history.
Known in Greek as Επέτειος του Όχι (the Anniversary of “No”), Ochi Day commemorates Greece’s refusal to accept an ultimatum from Fascist Italy on 28 October 1940, during the Second World War.
The story is about much more than one word. It is about a country confronted with the threat of invasion, a population that rallied in resistance, and the consequences of standing up to a powerful aggressor. For Cyprus, it also offers an opportunity to remember the island’s own contribution to the Allied war effort and the complicated history of living under British colonial rule during the same period.
What is Ochi Day?
Ochi Day, sometimes written as Ohi Day or Oxi Day, is commemorated every year on 28 October.
The word όχι (ochi) means “no” in Greek. The day marks Greece’s rejection of the demands made by Benito Mussolini’s Fascist Italian government in 1940.
It is one of Greece’s two principal national anniversaries, alongside 25 March, which commemorates the beginning of the Greek War of Independence in 1821.
Although Ochi Day is primarily associated with Greece, it is also commemorated in Cyprus, particularly among Greek Cypriot communities. The anniversary is marked through school celebrations, church services, official ceremonies and student parades.
The central message is straightforward: a nation should not have to surrender its independence and freedom simply because a more powerful country demands it.
The historical background: Europe on the brink of war
To understand Ochi Day, we need to look at the situation in Europe in 1940.
The Second World War had begun on 1 September 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Adolf Hitler’s Germany and Benito Mussolini’s Italy were pursuing aggressive expansionist policies, seeking greater territory and political influence through military force.
Italy had invaded and occupied Albania in April 1939. In June 1940, Mussolini entered the war on Germany’s side, hoping to secure territorial gains while France was being defeated by German forces.
Greece, meanwhile, was attempting to remain neutral. Its geographical position made it strategically important: control of Greek ports, islands and transport routes would provide significant advantages in the Mediterranean.
However, relations between Greece and Italy deteriorated as Italian pressure increased.
One important incident occurred on 15 August 1940, when the Greek light cruiser Elli was torpedoed and sunk by an Italian submarine while anchored near the island of Tinos. The attack took place during a major religious celebration. Although the Greek government initially avoided officially identifying Italy as the attacker, the incident intensified anti-Italian feeling.
By October, an Italian invasion was becoming increasingly likely.
What happened on 28 October 1940?
In the early hours of 28 October 1940, at approximately 3 a.m., Emanuele Grazzi, the Italian ambassador to Greece, arrived at the residence of Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas in Kifisia, near Athens.
He delivered an ultimatum on behalf of Mussolini’s government.
Italy demanded permission for its armed forces to enter Greek territory and occupy strategically important locations, including sites connected to transport and military operations. Greece was given only three hours to respond.
Accepting the demands would effectively have meant allowing a foreign power to occupy parts of the country without resistance.
Metaxas rejected the ultimatum.
The familiar story says that he answered with a single word: “Ochi!”
However, there is an important historical detail. According to the account popularised through contemporary records and the ambassador’s memoirs, Metaxas responded in French, the diplomatic language of the time, with the phrase “Alors, c’est la guerre” — meaning “Then, it is war.”
The word “Ochi” became the enduring expression of Greece’s refusal. It captured the meaning of the decision rather than necessarily reproducing Metaxas’s exact words.
Within hours, Italian forces crossed into Greece from Albania, which Italy had occupied the previous year. The Greco-Italian War had begun.
Source: Greek News Agenda, “28th of October 1940: The Greek ‘Ohi Day’.”
How Greece resisted the Italian invasion
Mussolini expected the campaign to bring a relatively quick victory. Instead, the Italian advance encountered determined Greek resistance.
Greek forces fought in difficult conditions, particularly in the mountainous regions of Epirus and the Pindus range. The weather, challenging terrain, logistical difficulties and the determination of Greek soldiers all complicated the Italian offensive.
The Greek army not only stopped the initial advance but launched a counteroffensive that pushed Italian troops back into Albanian territory.
By late 1940, Greek forces had captured several towns in southern Albania that had served as Italian bases.
This was a significant development in the early years of the Second World War. At a time when Axis forces appeared formidable across much of Europe, Greece had demonstrated that the Italian army could be resisted and defeated in a land campaign.
However, the story did not end with Greece’s success against Italy.
On 6 April 1941, Nazi Germany invaded Greece through Bulgaria. German forces eventually overwhelmed Greek resistance, and mainland Greece came under Axis occupation. Crete was subsequently captured following fierce fighting in May 1941.
The occupation brought severe suffering, including executions, repression, destruction and devastating famine.
Ochi Day, therefore, commemorates both the decision to resist and the sacrifices that followed it.
Was Ioannis Metaxas a democratic leader?
A balanced account of Ochi Day must also acknowledge the political context.
Ioannis Metaxas was not the leader of a democratic government. In August 1936, he established an authoritarian dictatorship with the support of King George II. His regime restricted political freedoms, suppressed opposition, censored the press and persecuted political opponents.
His refusal to surrender Greece to Mussolini did not change the nature of his domestic regime.
This distinction matters because historical events can have meanings that extend beyond the political beliefs or character of the people involved.
Metaxas’s rejection of the Italian ultimatum became a symbol of national resistance. Over time, the anniversary came to represent the courage and collective determination of the Greek people, rather than simply celebrating the prime minister himself.
Recognising this complexity makes the history more accurate, not less significant.
Ochi Day can be understood as a commemoration of Greece’s resistance to foreign aggression without overlooking the absence of democracy under its leader at the time.
Why is Ochi Day celebrated in Cyprus?
For Cyprus, Ochi Day has a particular historical and cultural significance.
The island was under British colonial administration in 1940. It was not an independent state, and it did not have the same political or military position as Greece.
Nevertheless, the invasion of Greece resonated strongly with many Greek Cypriots because of their language, cultural traditions, religious heritage and longstanding interest in the political future of Greece.
The anniversary consequently became an important occasion for expressing solidarity with Greece and commemorating resistance to Fascist aggression.
Today, Ochi Day is recognised in the Republic of Cyprus through official ceremonies and educational activities. It is included among the national commemorations organised in schools, and the anniversary is marked by student parades and formal events.
For example, the Cypriot government has published official programmes for the 28 October celebrations in Nicosia, including a church service, the raising of the flag and a student parade attended by state representatives.
These ceremonies demonstrate that Ochi Day is not merely a historical anniversary imported from Greece. It has become an established part of the commemorative calendar and public life of the Republic of Cyprus.
Sources: Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth; Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus.
Cyprus’s own role in the Second World War
One of the most important aspects of the Cyprus perspective is that the island’s connection to the war went beyond cultural solidarity.
Cypriots also contributed directly to the Allied war effort.
During the Second World War, Cyprus was a British colony. The British authorities recruited volunteers to serve in military and support units, including the Cyprus Regiment and the Cyprus Volunteer Force.
Cypriot personnel served in a variety of roles, including transport, engineering, supply and other support duties. They took part in operations in different theatres of the war, including North Africa, the Middle East, France, Italy and Greece.
The scale of this contribution is significant. In a speech commemorating Cypriot Second World War volunteers, the Cypriot Ministry of Defence stated that more than 16,000 men and 800 women served in operations across several theatres of the war. Other historical accounts use different totals depending on which units and categories of service are included.
This contribution came from a population living under colonial rule and included people from different religious communities on the island.
The wartime experience was not without sacrifice. Cypriot volunteers were killed, wounded or captured, and some never returned home.
Their service forms an important part of Cyprus’s own Second World War history and provides another reason to look beyond the events in Greece when considering the meaning of Ochi Day.
Source: Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Defence, commemorative speeches on Cypriot Second World War volunteers.
The Cyprus paradox: Fighting for freedom under colonial rule
There is another dimension to Cyprus’s wartime experience that deserves attention.
Many Cypriots who volunteered to serve alongside Allied forces understood the war as a struggle against Fascism and Nazism. At the same time, Cyprus remained under British colonial rule.
For Greek Cypriots in particular, the aspiration for Enosis — union with Greece — remained an important political objective. Some hoped that their wartime contribution to the Allied cause would help advance that aspiration.
Yet service in the Allied war effort did not lead to the immediate end of British rule.
This creates a revealing historical contrast. During the same period that Greece was resisting an attempt by Fascist Italy to impose its will through military force, Cypriots were serving in the Allied cause while their own island remained a colony.
The circumstances were different, but both experiences raise questions about self-determination, political freedom and the rights of smaller nations and communities.
It is important not to treat the two situations as identical. Greece faced an imminent invasion by Fascist Italy in October 1940, while Cyprus’s political status was shaped by British colonial rule and a different historical process. Nevertheless, the relationship between wartime sacrifice and the desire for greater political freedom is an important part of Cyprus’s story.
How is Ochi Day celebrated in Cyprus today?
Ochi Day is marked by a combination of official ceremonies, educational activities and public commemorations.
School celebrations and student parades
Schools play a central role in keeping the anniversary alive. Pupils learn about the events of 1940 through historical lessons, readings, poems, songs and commemorative performances. Student parades are a visible feature of the celebrations.
Church services and flag ceremonies
Official programmes may include a church service, the raising of the Greek flag and the participation of public officials. These ceremonies reflect the historical and cultural traditions associated with the anniversary.
Public remembrance
The day provides an opportunity for families and communities to discuss the war, the meaning of resistance and the sacrifices made by previous generations.
A connection with Greece
The Greek flag, national songs and references to the events of October 1940 reinforce the cultural links between Greece and Greek Cypriot society.
The precise programme varies by location and year, so anyone wishing to attend a particular ceremony should check the relevant municipality or the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Education for the latest announcements.
Why does Ochi Day still matter?
It can be tempting to see Ochi Day as a distant historical event, particularly for younger generations who have no personal connection to the Second World War.
Yet its significance extends beyond the specific circumstances of 1940.
First, it reminds us that the decisions of governments can affect the lives of entire populations. Greece’s refusal to accept the Italian ultimatum led to war, but accepting it would have meant surrendering control over strategically important parts of the country.
Second, the anniversary highlights the importance of collective action. The resistance was not simply a story about one prime minister. It became a national effort involving soldiers, civilians and communities facing the consequences of war.
Third, it encourages a more thoughtful understanding of freedom. Ochi Day is often associated with courage and patriotism, but its history also reminds us that resistance to foreign aggression and the defence of democratic freedoms are not automatically the same thing. Remembering the past honestly means recognising both the courage shown in 1940 and the authoritarian character of Metaxas’s government.
For Cyprus, the anniversary carries an additional meaning. It provides a way to reflect on the island’s connections with Greece while remembering the experiences of Cypriots who served during the war and the complicated political realities of colonial rule.
The broader lesson is that freedom, dignity and self-determination are not abstract ideas. They have shaped the history of countries and communities, often at considerable human cost.
Ochi Day and the next generation
For children growing up in Cyprus today, Ochi Day offers an opportunity to learn about a significant moment in European history and to understand how international events can shape local identities.
The aim should not be simply to memorise dates, names and patriotic slogans. It should also be to ask meaningful questions.
Why did Italy want to occupy Greece? What made the Greek resistance significant? How did Cypriots experience the Second World War? And what can we learn from a period in which countries and communities struggled with aggression, occupation and competing claims to freedom?
These questions help connect history with the present without reducing the past to a simple story of heroes and villains.
They also allow younger generations to appreciate the sacrifices made by those who lived through the war while developing their own informed understanding of history.
Conclusion: More than a word
Ochi Day commemorates a defining moment in modern Greek history: the refusal of the Greek government to accept Mussolini’s ultimatum on 28 October 1940.
The subsequent war brought military resistance, suffering and occupation, but it also established the anniversary as a lasting symbol of courage and national determination.
In Cyprus, Ochi Day has taken on a significance of its own. It reflects the island’s cultural relationship with Greece, the commemorative traditions maintained in schools and communities, and the experiences of Cypriots who served in the Allied war effort during the Second World War.
Its history is complex. The Greek leader who rejected the ultimatum governed as a dictator, and Cyprus’s wartime experience unfolded under British colonial rule. These facts do not diminish the importance of remembering the events of 1940; they help us understand them more fully.
Ultimately, Ochi Day is not just about saying no. It is about remembering the consequences of political choices, the cost of war and the enduring human desire to live with dignity and freedom.
Every 28 October, that history invites both Greece and Cyprus to remember the past — and to consider what its lessons mean for future generations.
Further reading and sources
The following sources provide a starting point for readers who want to explore the subject in greater depth.
- Greek News Agenda — “28th of October 1940: The Greek ‘Ohi Day’”
A detailed account of the political background, the Italian ultimatum, the invasion and the subsequent war.
https://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/ohi-day/ - Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth — School celebrations
Official information on commemorative activities in Cypriot schools.
https://www.moec.gov.cy/dde/en/school_celebrations.html - Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Defence — Commemorating Cypriot Second World War volunteers
Official speeches documenting the role of Cypriot volunteers and their service during the war.
https://www.gov.cy/mod/ - Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus — Ochi Day student parade
An example of the official commemoration of 28 October in Nicosia.
https://www.gov.cy/en/event/president-of-the-republic-of-cyprus-student-parade-for-the-anniversary-of-the-28th-october-1940/
