From the milestones of the national struggle to the proclamation of the Republic in 1923, October 29 marks one of the most important moments in Türkiye’s history, when a new era in the country’s development began.
Every year on October 29, Türkiye celebrates Republic Day, a national occasion that commemorates a significant historical period in the early twentieth century. The day marks the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923, an event that represented a turning point in the country’s system of government and the development of its state institutions.
The founding of the Republic was not an event that took place in a single day. Rather, it was the result of successive stages of national and political efforts, beginning with the organization of the national movement, followed by the establishment of institutions representing the national will, and culminating in the proclamation of the republican system.
A New Era Begins in Samsun
On May 19, 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk arrived in the city of Samsun. This historic moment became closely associated with the beginning of the Turkish national movement. From there, efforts were made to organize the movement and unite different positions around the country’s future. The Congresses of Erzurum and Sivas further contributed to defining the movement’s objectives and shaping its direction.
This period laid the foundation for the political and military developments that would eventually lead to the establishment of the modern Turkish state.
Ankara: The Center of National Decision-Making
On April 23, 1920, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye was inaugurated in Ankara. It became a central institution for managing national affairs and making political decisions during the period of the struggle for independence.
The opening of the Assembly was an important step in building the institutions of government. It established the principle that the country’s affairs would be managed by a national body responsible for making decisions during a critical period in the nation’s history.
On October 13, 1923, Ankara became the capital of Türkiye, further strengthening its position as the political and administrative center of the new state.
The War of Independence and the Consolidation of Sovereignty
Between 1919 and 1922, the Turkish War of Independence witnessed several significant military and political developments. Among the most notable were the Battle of Sakarya in 1921 and the Great Offensive launched in August 1922. The offensive culminated in the Turkish forces’ victory at the Battle of Dumlupınar on August 30, a date that Türkiye commemorates every year as Victory Day.
With the main military phase of the struggle concluded, efforts shifted toward consolidating Turkish sovereignty through diplomacy and creating the conditions necessary for the establishment of a new political system.
The Treaty of Lausanne: A Milestone in Consolidating the State
On July 24, 1923, the Treaty of Lausanne was signed. The treaty contributed to the international recognition of Türkiye and the recognition of its borders and sovereignty.
It represented a fundamental milestone in the process leading to the proclamation of the Republic, paving the way for a new phase in which the country’s state institutions could be organized and its system of government defined.
October 29, 1923: The Proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye
On October 29, 1923, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye adopted the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye, officially beginning a new era in the country’s history. On the same day, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was elected the Republic’s first president.
The proclamation marked the culmination of a process of political and institutional transformation. October 29 subsequently became a national symbol associated with the founding of the Republic and the beginning of a new phase in the organization of the Turkish state.
On March 3, 1924, the reorganization of state institutions continued with the abolition of the caliphate, as part of the political and legal transformations that took place during the Republic’s early years.
Republic Day: A Historic Anniversary Renewed Every Year
October 29 is an annual occasion to remember the historical stages that contributed to the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, from the emergence of the national movement to the establishment of state institutions, and from the consolidation of sovereignty to the proclamation of the republican system.
On this occasion, Türkiye commemorates a pivotal moment in its history. Celebrations and national events take place in cities across the country, reflecting the public’s appreciation of the Republic’s history and the symbolic significance of the date on which it was founded.
October 29 is more than just a date on the Turkish calendar. It commemorates the proclamation of the Republic and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Turkish state.
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