WASHINGTON, DC –
U.S. Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), co-chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, announced today that he is leading bipartisan members of the Hellenic Caucus in introducing a resolution to designate October 28th as OXI Day.
On October 28, 1940, Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas refused to surrender to Axis forces, answering “Oxi!” – or “No!” – to Italian dictator Benito Mussolini’s 3 A.M. ultimatum that he allow Axis forces to freely enter Greece or face war. Prime Minister Metaxas’ refusal to relent to fascism sparked a national resistance movement and Greece ultimately became the first country to repel the Axis invasion. Greece’s resistance required Nazi forces to delay their invasion of Russia to intervene in the Greco-Italian War, a delay which caused the Nazi regime to face a brutal Russian winter which hindered their advance and ultimately led to their eventual defeat.
“Eight-five years ago, the Greek people demonstrated unprecedented bravery and determination in their refusal to bow to the Axis Powers during World War II. Decades later, we continue to recognize how this monumental decision shaped history,” said Congressman Pappas. “As a proud Greek-American, I’m honored to lead this resolution to honor Greece’s role in defending democracy during World War II and our shared commitment to standing up to those who violate another nation’s sovereignty.”
“Congressman Pappas, thank you for highlighting Greece’s first defeat of Hitler’s Axis Forces in WWII following OXI Day, the day Greece said “No” (“Oxi” in Greek) to surrender. Hitler himself credited Greece’s amazing courage as causing the delay that led to his defeat. Hitler’s photographer in her memoirs quoted him as saying, ‘Had the Italians not attacked Greece and had they not needed our help, the war would have taken a different course. We would have had time to capture Leningrad and Moscow before the Russian cold set in,’” said Andy Manatos, President and Founder of the Washington Oxi Day Foundation.
Congressman Pappas was the first member of Congress to introduce legislation recognizing OXI Day. Pappas first introduced a bipartisan resolution designating October 28th as OXI Day in 2019. He has done so every year since, each time with bipartisan support.
