On the occasion of Ohi Day, a national holiday celebrated throughout Greece and Cyprus each year, to commemorate the rejection by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on October 28, 1940, parades took place today in the country’s two biggest cities, Athens and Thessaloniki.

Greek President Karolos Papoulias traveled to Thessaloniki on Monday afternoon to attend events for the celebration of the Ohi Day. On Tuesday at 10.30, Mr. Papoulias laid a wreath at the monument of the 3rd Army Corps and at 11.00 he attended the military parade that took place along Megalou Alexandrou avenue.

Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos was also present at the parade.