On This Day, October 28, 1940, Fascist Italy launched an invasion of Greece, expecting a swift military victory. Instead, Italian forces encountered fierce resistance that would turn the campaign into a humiliating setback for Benito Mussolini.

At approximately 3 a.m., Italian ambassador Emanuele Grazzi delivered an ultimatum to Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas. Italy demanded permission to occupy strategic locations inside Greece. Metaxas rejected the demands, and before the ultimatum had even expired, Italian troops began crossing the Greek-Albanian border.

Italy was already occupying Albania, which it had invaded in 1939. Mussolini wanted to expand Italian power across the Balkans and strengthen his position in the Mediterranean.

But Greece refused to surrender.

Greek soldiers fought across rugged mountains and freezing terrain, defending their homeland against the invading army. The difficult landscape, harsh weather, and determined Greek resistance disrupted Italy's plans for a rapid victory.

Then came an astonishing reversal.

In November 1940, Greek forces launched a counteroffensive, pushing the Italians back across the border and advancing into Italian-occupied Albania. By December, Greek troops had captured several towns and positions inside Albania.

Mussolini's attempt to demonstrate Italian military strength had become a serious embarrassment.

However, the struggle was far from over. In April 1941, Nazi Germany invaded Greece to support its Axis ally. Despite fierce resistance, Greece was eventually overrun by German forces.

October 28 remains a significant date in Greek history, commemorated as Ohi Day—"No Day"—symbolizing the country's refusal to accept the Italian ultimatum.

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