A republic is a form of government in which the people govern themselves. The Republic of Turkey established independence by declaring the republic on October 29, 1923, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Before the declaration of the Republic, Turkey was part of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was defeated in the First World War. The Turkish nation fought in the war of independence for its independence and established the republic on October 29, 1923.
During the Erzurum Congress, Mustafa Kemal said that the form of government after the victory would be a republic. The Government of the Grand National of Turkey, which has governed Turkey since April 23, 1920, was based on the principle of national sovereignty. This was a republican administration. In the Constitution dated January 20, 1921, “Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation.” It was said. This showed that the new regime was an undeclared republic. When declaring the republic, Ataturk was of the opinion that all rules of democracy should be implemented in due course. His main aim was for the Turkish nation to exercise their political rights as they wished and for pluralist democracy to become functional in the country.
For the Turkish people, Republic Day is one of our national holidays where national unity and solidarity and social solidarity are experienced at a high level. The aim of the management members who emerged after the War of Independence ended with the victory of the Turkish nation was to determine a new form of government. The results of Mustafa Kemal and his ilk decided on the republic as the form of government befitting Turkey. Finally, the Republic was declared on October 29, 1923.
With the declaration of the republic in Turkey on October 29, 1923 the nation gained and Ataturk become the first president for Turkey. The 100th anniversary of our republic reminds us once again how valuable the republic is. This year, we must embrace the principles and reforms of our republic more and work together to move our nation even further. The Republic is unconditionally in the hands of the nation. This year, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our struggle for independence. We must do our best to preserve the value of our Republic and to carry this value from generation to generation.