BLOG

October 29, 1923: The day a nation was reborn from its ashes! With the declaration of the Republic, a brand-new country was established, and the modern understanding of the state was accepted. Our deep-rooted country, which has been governed as a republic for more than 100 years, has struggled with many difficulties during this process. So, what paths did our leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and his comrades-in-arms go through during the process of accepting the republic? How was the republic declared? How did the people respond to the developments? Here is the fascinating history of our Republic Day, which has had a great impact all over the world!

Defeat in World War I

World War I broke out approximately six months after the declaration of the Second Constitutional Monarchy. The world's most powerful states participated in this war, which began in 1914. Our country, the Ottoman Empire, was on the side of the Central Powers. On this side, we fought alongside Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Bulgaria. On the other side, there were the Allied Powers. The Allied Powers included France, England, Serbia, the Russian Empire, Italy, Portugal, the USA, Greece and Romania. The Ottoman Empire and its allies were defeated at the end of the four-year war. Following this defeat, our lands began to be shared among France, Italy, Greece and England.

Seeing that the country was rapidly being occupied, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk went to Samsun on May 19, 1919, in order to ignite the fuse of national unity. Here, he gave signals of the National Struggle and began to organize the people. Atatürk, who organized congresses in Erzurum, Balıkesir and Sivas, objected to the occupations by saying "Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation!". For this reason, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's arrival in Samsun is accepted as the starting date of the War of Independence. It is also celebrated as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

Preparations for the Republic

The National Struggle led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk resulted in the victory of the national forces in 1923. The representatives of the people who gathered in Ankara under the name of the "Grand National Assembly" on April 23, 1920, accepted the law called the Teşkilat-ı Esasiye Kanunu on January 20, 1921. This law also declared that sovereignty belonged to the Turkish nation. With the decision taken on November 1, 1922, the sultanate was abolished, and the country began to be governed by a parliamentary government.

İcra Vekilleri Heyeti resigned on October 27, 1923. Following this resignation, a new cabinet that could gain the trust of the parliament could not be formed. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk prepared a bill of law amendment together with İsmet İnönü for the country's form of government to become a republic. He submitted this bill to the parliament on October 29, 1923. Following the acceptance of some amendments to the Constitution, the republic was officially declared by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The declaration of the republic was announced to the country with a 101-gun salute in Ankara and was celebrated in a festive atmosphere throughout the country, especially in Ankara, from the night of October 29 to the evening of October 30, 1923. These celebrations had a great impact on the world press.

The Importance of the Republic

The Declaration of the Republic can be considered the best example of the Turkish nation's passion for independence and freedom. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk laid the foundations of a democratic and modern state and aimed to elevate Türkiye to the level of contemporary civilizations. He brought both the right to self-determination and a democratic form of government to the Turkish nation. This step greatly strengthened solidarity and national unity. The Republic was adopted as a form of government where the will of the people is at its center and different ethnic or religious groups have equal rights.

October 29, Republic Day also expresses the common emotional bond of the Turkish nation. On this special day, the Turkish nation comes together to remember their ancestors who endured the difficulties of the past and feels the responsibility of carrying their legacy to future generations. The Republic Day is considered a reflection of our will to protect and develop our national identity for our nation.

As every October 29th, this year too, we are experiencing the joy of the republic together and proudly waving our flag. As the Turkish nation, we come together as one heart and protect the independence and unity of our country. We respectfully commemorate our great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and all his comrades-in-arms and celebrate the October 29th Republic Day of the Turkish nation with enthusiasm and pride.