28/10/1940 Celebrated throughout Greece on October 28th each year, Oxi day (pronounced as Ochi day, means "no" day) commemorates the answer of the Greek Ioannis Metaxas, to the Italian ultimatum which asked Greece to allow Italian forces to use the land of Greece for military operations or otherwise face war. This ultimatum, which was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador in Greece, Grachi, on the dawn (04:00) of October 28, 1940, after a party in the Italian embassy in Athens, was answered with a single word: oxi! (Ochi!) The attack began at 05:30. Italy invaded Greece through Albania. Shortly thereafter, Metaxas addressed the Greek people with these words: "The time has come for Greece to fight for her independence. Greeks, now we must prove ourselves worthy of our forefathers and the freedom they bestowed upon us. Greeks, now fight for your Fatherland, for your wives, for your children and the sacred traditions. Now, over all things, fight!"