MODERN TÜRKİYE CELEBRATES 102 YEARS!

Republic Day of Türkiye

Republic Day is one of Türkiye’s most important national holidays, celebrated every year on October 29. It holds a special place in the hearts of Turkish people, with nationwide ceremonies and festivities marking the foundation of the Republic.

On October 29, 1923, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye, officially declared the Republic and became its first president. This historic step ended the Ottoman system and laid the foundation for a secular, democratic nation.

The History Behind October 29

Although the Grand National Assembly had been active since April 23, 1920, the official proclamation of the Republic came on October 29, 1923. The Assembly unanimously elected Atatürk as the first president of the new state, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti (“The Republic of Türkiye”).

The night before, on October 28, Atatürk shared his plan with close colleagues at a dinner in Çankaya, declaring: “Gentlemen, we will proclaim the Republic tomorrow.” Together, he and İsmet Pasha prepared the constitutional amendment that defined the new Republic. The next day, the Assembly celebrated with the cheer: “Long Live the Republic!”

The Road to Independence

The Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923) was fought between the Turkish National Movement and the Allied Powers after World War I. The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) had divided Ottoman lands, but under Atatürk’s leadership, Turkish forces resisted occupation and won decisive victories at the Battle of Sakarya (1921) and Battle of Dumlupınar (1922).

Their success led to the Treaty of Lausanne (1923), which recognized Türkiye’s sovereignty and borders. Soon after, the Republic was proclaimed, marking the end of the Ottoman Empire and the beginning of a new, modern Turkish identity.

Atatürk’s Reforms and Their Impact

As president, Atatürk introduced sweeping reforms to modernize Türkiye:

  • Political: Abolished the Sultanate (1922) and Caliphate (1924), and granted women voting rights (1930–1934).
     

  • Legal: Adopted a secular constitution (1924) and the Turkish Civil Code (1926), replacing Sharia law.
     

  • Social: Introduced the Hat Law (1925) and the Surname Law (1934), promoting a modern civic identity.
     

  • Educational: Unified schools (1924), adopted the Latin alphabet (1928), and reformed universities (1933).
     

  • Economic: Launched industrialization plans and abolished capitulations, ensuring economic independence.
     

These reforms reshaped society, reinforcing Atatürk’s vision of a secular, democratic, and progressive nation.

As ESN Existanbul, we honour the legacy of Atatürk and the Republic by embracing his vision of progress. Guided by his principles, we dedicate ourselves to creating positive change in our communities and building a future that reflects freedom, knowledge, and unity.