WorldnWar II was an awful time to be a European. Hitler famously rulednGermany, and Benito Mussolini ruled Italy; the two made a pact withnJapan that made them allies (nations acting together in a war) callednthe Axis powers. Hitler had already taken over Austria and hadnattacked and occupied Czechoslovakia, Poland, Norway, Denmark,nHolland, Belgium, and even France. The Axis powers were at war withnBritain.
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nOnnthis date in 1940, Mussolini gave an ultimatum to Greece: Allow Axisnforces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain strategicnlocations, or else.
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nThat’snwhat an ultimatum is: an “or else.”
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nAndnof course, in this case, the “or else” means “we will attacknyou, we will kill your people and burn your buildings, we will occupynyou you, we will take over your country.”
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nThenGreek ruler, Ioannis Metaxas, is widely believed to have answered thenultimatum by simply saying, “No,” but he really said, “Then itnis war.” And sure enough, Italian troops attacked just about annhour later. Greek people took to the streets yelling the Greek wordnfor “No!” – which is spelled “ohi” (or “oxi” or “ochi”) in thenEnglish alphabet. n
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Duringnthe war, Greece’s brave refusal to cooperate with the Axis powers wasncelebrated in Greece and Cyprus and in Greek communities around thenworld.
Duringnthe war, Greece’s brave refusal to cooperate with the Axis powers wasncelebrated in Greece and Cyprus and in Greek communities around thenworld. n
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nOhi Day became a public holiday after the war was over. It is commonly celebrated with parades and exhibitions.
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nAlsonon this date:
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nAnniversary of the opening of the Gateway Arch