News Agencies – Republic Day is a national holiday in Turkey celebrated on October 29th.
On October 29, 1923, Ataturk officially declared the name of the nation and proclaimed the country’s status as a republic. The newly recognized Turkish parliament proclaimed the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, formally marking the end of the Ottoman Empire. Mustafa Kemal, the leader of the Turkish troops was named the first president on October 29th 1923 when the Turkish republic was proclaimed in the new capital, Ankara.
A republican constitution was adopted the following April. Islam remained the state religion for several years, though this was eventually removed from the constitution in April 1928, making Turkey a secular state.
Marking the day, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in the capital, Ankara.
Speaking before signing a guest book at the mausoleum Erdoğan said in an address to Atatürk: “We commemorate your excellency, all heroes of our War of Independence and honorable martyrs.” The president said “internal and external attacks” to stop Turkey’s progress only strengthened their resolve for struggle and determination. “We will continue walking toward our shared future in unity, togetherness and fraternity by drawing courage from our glorious past full of victories,” the president said.
