Tuesday’s celebration of OXI day is one of two annual events in which Greece seeks to remind itself of its historic record of resistance to oppression. As is well known, the term derives from the rejection by the Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas of an ultimatum from the Italian leader Benito Mussolini. According to Wikipedia, the ultimatum was presented to Metaxas by the Italian ambassador to Greece Emanuele Grazzi, who had just come from a party in the Italian embassy in Athens, shortly after 3.00 am on 28th October 1940. It demanded that Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain unspecified ‘strategic locations’ or otherwise face war. Metaxas replied, in the diplomatic French of the day, ‘Alors, c’est la guerre!’ Word of his bold refusal spread swiftly through Athens, inspiring the citizens to flood the streets, chanting “Oxi!” (No!).