Republic… The fairest form of government or at least the one that appears to be so… It represents a culture for which countless lives have been sacrificed, a testament to the unwavering dedication of a proud nation. A pivotal victory for the Turkish people, intricately woven into the grand tapestry of history, showcasing their resilience and spirit… This is a long and arduous journey, one that embarked in October of Nineteen Twenty Three.
Undoubtedly, there exists a profound connection between nations and individuals. It’s not surprising, for the societies forged by individuals inherently carry the imprints of human nature. Nations, like individuals, have their lifecycles, and the Republic emerges at a critical juncture, offering a chance to postpone the inevitable decline, and perhaps even to establish societies that endure for eternity. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, deeply rooted in history, recognized this splendid form of governance as befitting for the Turkish people, etching an indelible mark in history on October 28, 1923, with his unforgettable declaration: “Gentlemen, We Will Announce the Republic Tomorrow.” Thus began a legendary saga.
The Turkish people were weary. After a series of uprisings that commenced in the 1800s, the ravages of World War I had taken a heavy toll on the Turkish nation. The era of former peace had vanished. Enmity seethed against Jews and Christians, Bulgarians and Serbs, Georgians and Greeks, inflicting deep wounds upon the nation. Furthermore, after enduring multiple conflicts, only Anatolia remained, and even it was under imminent threat. It was during these dire times that the War of Independence ignited an imperative for the nation’s survival. The War of Independence bore witness to immeasurable heroism and sacrifice, so extensive that mere words could not encapsulate them all. Figures like Sütçü İmam in Maraş, Aslan Bey in Antep, and Ezineli Yahya Çavuş in Gelibolu valiantly defended their homeland. Countless heroes like Nene Hatun, Kara Fatma, Yörük Ali, Mehmet, Ayşe, Hasan, poured their blood to irrigate every inch of this sacred soil. As Mehmet Akif Ersoy eloquently put it in the National Anthem: Martyrs’ blood will flush if you squeeze the soil…’ This was a nation that waged a war without proper gear, without rifles. Thus, the Republic was founded. That day, the proclamation from Mustafa Kemal’s lips was a victorious cry, the culmination of an effortsoaked in blood and sweat, heralding the reawakening of a resolute nation.
So, what is the duty for us, the descendants of history’s heroes, as the offspring of such a storied society? As the progeny of a nation whose souls rest without shrouds, our paramount mission is to propel this homeland forward, which has been nurtured with relentless toil. In an ever-changing world, we must strive to become symbols of modernity, leaders of progress and the architects of a promising future. May all of these aspirations and this noble day be a gift to the entire nation.
