With 28October celebrations wrapping up soon for 2021, here’s a list of details about the national day that don’t usually make it to the keynote speech of commemorations. Intrigued? Keep reading.
1. The Greek tribute to an Italian mastermind three days before the emphatic NO
That Friday night preceding Monday’s (28 October 1940) dramatic events, looked like life as usual at the Greek capital. According to historical accounts, on 25 October dictator Ioannis Metaxas, who was serving as Greece’s PM had shared intelligence with government Ministers that an Italian attack was imminent. A few hours later, the inauguration night of Greece’s National Opera was featuring Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. Among those invited at the opening by the Greek government was the Italian composer’s son and wife.
Source: Greek National Opera
2. A… sweet ironic gesture by the Italian embassy
On the following day, a gala event was held at the Italian embassy in Athens attended by only two Greek officials, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Minister for the Press, with Metaxas’ approval. Upon arrival, they were welcomed with the sight of a big cake in the hall of the embassy bearing the inscription “VIVA LA GRECIA”.
3. When Metaxas’ guard mistook the Italian messenger of the ultimatum for his French counterpart
As embarrassing as it sounds, this happened too, but one can easily blame it on late hours. When Italy’s ambassador Emanuele Grazzi arrived at Metaxas’ residence it was 3am. As reported, one of the guards mistook the Italian flag on Grazzi’s car for a French one. Hence, Metaxas initially was woken up to an urgent request to meet with… the French ambassador.
Nazi propaganda picture showing Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas (middle) in Athens amidsts members of the Greek labour service raising hands in fascist salute. Source: Berliner Verlag/Archiv/picture alliance via Getty Images. Photo taken in 1937
Metaxas responded to the ultimatum in… French and it wasn’t a “Non” (Oxi)
This French element of the story is admittedly more widely known. You might have heard that when Grazzi delivered Benito Mussolini’s message requesting that the Italian forces be given free passage into Greek territory – aka the ultimatum to surrender and accept Italian control – the Greek general responded in French as commonly at the time between diplomats. He famously said ‘Alors, c’est la guerre’ (Well, this means war).
Greek newspaper's Kathimerini frontpage on 29 October 1940. Source: SBS Greek/Dina Gerolymou
How did OXI became the emblem of the national day?
Thanks to, literally, Greek media. In particular, the newspaper that is said to have coined ‘OXI’ (No) on its frontpage title of the article reporting the events was ‘Greek Future’ on its October 30, 1940 edition. It was then then popularised with locals yelling OXI on the streets. The picture below is not a re-enactment but taken at a commemorative parade for the national day in Athens in recent years, as the three-letter word has retained its emblematic character in the hearts of many Greeks.
Youth hold placards reading 'No to Fasism', No to Racism', 'No to Nationalism', ' No to Austerity Measures' during a parade for OXI Day in Athens, 2012 Source: LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images
Mussolini’s soft spot for 28 October
As documented inGaleazzo Ciano’s (then Italy’s Foreign Minister and son-in-law of Benito Mussolini) diary entries, the date of the planned attack of Greece was changed a couple of times before Mussolini and his officials settled on the 28th of October. While not historically confirmed, it has been claimed this might have been Mussolini’s intention from the start. I any case, 28 October did strike a chord in the heart of the Italian dictator, as the anniversary of his ascent to power. It was on that day in 1922, that the so called March on Rome took place with fascist troops gathering outside Rome and strategic places captured throughout Italy.
Celebrations in Berlin decorated with Italian and German flags to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the March on Rome on 28 October 1942 Source: Heinrich Hoffmann/Mondadori via Getty Images
Famous Greek artists who fought in the war
Many know about Odysseas Elytis’ participation in the Greco-Italian war, an experience that inspired some of the poet’s best-know works, including Axion Esti. But he wasn’t the only artist of the time who turned soldier. Those enlisted include famous modernist painter Yannis Tsarouchis, novelist Yiorgos Theotokas and beloved by many comic actor Lampros Konstantaras.
Greek actor Lampros Konstantaras (R) in the film "O strigglos pou egine arnaki" Source: YouTube
Churchill’s famous quote about Greeks and a less popular one
You have probably heard of Winston Churchill’s phrase that flatters Greeks as few others “Hence we will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks”. In an equally praising yet with more direct reference to the Hellenic contribution to the war, he said “If there had not been the virtue and courage of the Greeks, we do not know which the outcome of World War II would have been”.
Greeks attend the celebrations marking Greece's National 'Oxi' Day, in Chalkida, Evia, 2017. Source: Wassilios Aswestopoulos/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Speaking of quotes what did the US President say?
Indeed, Greece’s victory of the Italian attack had a direct impact on the rest of the world, with an arguable historical consensus that it affected the course of WII, by delaying the Germans. This did not go unnoticed by leaders of the time.
US President Franklin Roosevelt said: “When the entire world had lost hope, the Greek people dared to question the invincibility of the Nazi monster raising against it the proud spirit of freedom”.
Greek Orthodox priest holding a national flag in front of the Parliament in Athens Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis
Greek Church and OXI Day
On 28 October, the Greek Orthodox Church commemorates the Intercession of the Theotokos (or closer translation from Γιορτή της Αγίας Σκέπης in Greek as ‘Protecting Veil of the Theotokos’). But this wasn’t the case until 1952, when the Holy Synod voted to move the date of the feast from 1 October – when it was celebrated before – in order to add a religious layer to the national day.
