Congress Designates October 28th as 'Oxi Day' to Honor Greece's WWII Refusal to Surrender

This resolution officially designates October 28, 2025, as “Oxi Day,” a day of remembrance honoring Greece’s refusal to surrender to Axis forces during World War II. Specifically, it commemorates the moment on October 28, 1940, when Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected an ultimatum from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini with a simple “Oxi!”—meaning “No!” The resolution’s main purpose is to formally recognize this historical act of resistance, which many historians argue significantly delayed the Axis invasion plans and aided the eventual Allied victory.

The Historical 'No!' and What It Means

For those of us who appreciate history that actually shaped the world we live in, this is a nod to a huge moment. This isn't about setting new regulations or creating a new federal agency; it’s purely about historical recognition. The resolution supports designating this day to acknowledge Greece’s resistance as a “fatal wound” to the Axis powers. Essentially, Congress is putting its stamp on the idea that this one refusal—this one "No!"—was a pivotal moment in saving democracy for the world.

Who This Affects (And How)

Since this is a commemorative resolution, the impact on your daily life is entirely symbolic, but meaningful for certain communities. If you are part of the Greek-American community or are involved in heritage groups, this provides formal recognition for a significant part of your history. For everyone else, it means October 28th is now formally recognized as a day to remember the fight against fascism. The resolution specifically encourages the American public to “support and take part in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities” to observe the day. Think of it as a formal invitation to remember a critical piece of World War II history that often gets overshadowed.

A Purely Symbolic Move

Because this resolution doesn't involve funding, new laws, or regulatory changes, implementation is straightforward: it’s effective immediately as a matter of symbolic designation. There are no practical challenges in rolling this out, as it doesn't require any government resources beyond the initial vote. It’s a clean, symbolic gesture aimed at ensuring a key moment of democratic resistance is not forgotten, reinforcing the shared values between the U.S. and Greece regarding freedom and democracy.