No Day

Today is Oxi Day. Before you ask we did not spend the whole day saying no to everything! 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. Metaxas's reply marked the beginning of Greece's participation in World War II. It’s a public holiday and it is commemorated with military, student and union parades. Just about every building has a Greek flag hanging from it. The TV stations broadcast military parades similar to the ones held in Russia which gives the impression that Greece is somehow still stuck in a cold war.