28th of October - National Holiday

THE HELLENIC CULTURAL CENTER OF THE SOUTHWEST

under the auspices of

THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF GREECE IN HOUSTON

PRESENTS THE

2019 OXI DAY CELEBRATION

OCTOBER 28TH 1940

The first few days of the Greek-Italian war of 1940 are the least known to the general public. The images of the enthusiastic Greek recruits rushing to the recruiting units of Athens and of the newspaper headlines and of Sophia Vempo overwhelm the collective memory of our nation. The few days time from the dusk of the October 27th until November 2nd is densely packed with major events largely ignored by historical account as often recited. We will learn about the agonizing moments the Government lived through until the front was stabilized, and no neighbors other than the Albanians seized the opportunity to join the Italian offensive, the methodical preparation and the heroic resistance of the 8th Division in Epirus despite the Army leadership commands for an orderly evacuation of its territory and why Prime Minister Metaxas instantly rejected the Italian ultimatum. 

Doors open at 6:00 pm