The Washington OXI Day Foundation has released a new one-minute video, "World Leaders Learn of Greece's Finest Hour," spotlighting the organization's long-running effort to bring the story of Greece's pivotal World War II stand to the attention of heads of state and other prominent global figures.

The video traces the Foundation's history of briefing an extraordinary roster of dignitaries — including multiple U.S. presidents, numerous prime ministers, Queen Elizabeth, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama — on the significance of OXI Day, the October 1940 moment when Greece refused Benito Mussolini's ultimatum and went on to hand Axis forces their first major defeat of the war. That victory, historians note, delayed Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union and is widely credited as a turning point that contributed to Germany's eventual defeat.

Alongside its work with world leaders, the video also introduces some of the Hellenic community members and supporters whose efforts sustain the Foundation's mission. Each year, the organization selects two individuals — one man and one woman — whose real-world courage and sacrifice echo the defiance shown by the Greek people on OXI Day, and works to bring international recognition to their stories.

That recognition has, on multiple occasions, led to even larger honors. The Foundation notes that several of its past honorees went on to be awarded the Nobel Prize or to be recognized at a U.S. President's State of the Union Address — an internationally broadcast platform that further amplifies the OXI Day story on the world stage.

16th Annual Oxi Day Awards Banquet

This year marks the 16th annual Oxi Day Awards black-tie banquet, the Foundation's signature event honoring one male and one female recipient for extraordinary acts of courage. The award is intended as a living tribute, connecting the bravery of ordinary people today to the historic defiance of the Greek people in 1940.

As in past years, the banquet program will feature recorded remarks from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is expected to emphasize the importance of passing the OXI Day legacy on to future generations.

Through the video release and the continuation of its annual awards tradition, the Washington OXI Day Foundation continues its broader mission: ensuring that the story of Greece's "finest hour" remains part of the global historical conversation, carried forward both by world leaders and by the individuals whose courage keeps its spirit alive today.