Every year on 15 July, Türkiye commemorates one of the most significant nights in its modern history: the failed coup attempt of 2016. The occasion is officially observed as Democracy and National Unity Day, with official ceremonies and public events taking place across cities and provinces throughout the country.
The events of that night began when a group of military personnel attempted to seize control of key state institutions. Several bridges in Istanbul were closed, military aircraft flew over Ankara, and a number of government facilities came under attack during hours of intense tension experienced by millions of citizens.
As the events unfolded, thousands of people took to the streets and public squares in response to calls to defend the country’s constitutional institutions. At the same time, state authorities and security forces continued their operations until the coup attempt was declared defeated in the early hours of 16 July.
According to official figures, the events claimed the lives of more than 250 people and left thousands injured, making that night one of the most painful chapters in the history of the Republic of Türkiye.
Following the failed coup attempt, the Turkish government introduced a broad range of political, legal, and security measures, including the restructuring of several state institutions and legal proceedings against those accused of involvement in the coup attempt.
In 2017, 15 July was officially declared a public holiday in Türkiye under the name Democracy and National Unity Day. Since then, it has become an annual occasion marked by commemorative ceremonies, visits to memorials and martyrs’ cemeteries, cultural events, and official speeches emphasizing the importance of protecting the constitutional order and preserving national unity.
The commemorations are not limited to Ankara and Istanbul. Provinces across Türkiye organize a wide range of official and public events, including public marches, exhibitions, seminars, Quran recitations, visits to martyrs’ cemeteries, and ceremonies honoring those who lost their lives during the events of that night.
Among these provinces is Yalova, where annual commemorative events are held with the participation of public institutions and local residents, reaffirming the values of democracy and national unity while honoring the sacrifices of the martyrs and the injured.
The Omran Trk team also participates each year in the July 15 commemorations in Yalova, reflecting its commitment to community solidarity, the preservation of national unity, and sharing in the national occasions that hold a lasting place in Türkiye’s collective memory.
Ten years after those events, the memory of 15 July continues to hold an important place in the Turkish collective consciousness. More than a historical milestone, it remains an annual occasion that renews the messages of unity, solidarity, the defense of democracy, and the stability of the country.
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