Republic Day - Cumhuriyet Bayramı (October 29)

Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) is a national holiday in Turkey, always celebrated on 29 October. The afternoon of 28 October is also a holiday. The holiday commemorates the proclamation of the Turkish republic in 29 October 1923.

Following the defeat of the Ottomans in World War I, the allies had occupied Turkey as part of the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire.

An uprising of Turkish nationalists led to the Turkish war of independence (1919 -1923). The allies left Turkish regions in July 1923.

Mustafa Kemal, the leader of the Turkish troops was named the first president on 29 October 1923 when the Turkish republic was proclaimed in the new capital, Ankara. In 1934, Kemal was given the title Atatürk, which means 'Father of the Turks'.

In 1923, the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed by the Grand Assembly. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was unanimously named the first president of the country. Mr Atatürk led the War of Independence that had started on May 19, 1999 and ended after three years.

The peace treaty, The Treaty of Lausanne, was instrumental in the formation of the country. The treaty was signed in Lausanne, Switzerland, on July 24, 1923. The peace treaty officially put an end to the war that took place between the Allied British Empire and Turkey. It also involved Serb-Croat-Slovene State, the Kingdom of Romania, Kingdom of Greece, Empire of Japan, Kingdom of Italy and French Republic. An earlier attempt for peace, The Treaty of Sèvres, failed as the national movement in Turkey rejected it.

Ankara, the capital city, hosts many of the official events of celebration which include ceremonies at the Anıtkabir, Atatürks Mausoleum.

Many people in Turkey celebrate Republic Day on October 29 by attending performances and participating in traditional processions with flags and musical bands. The Turkish Republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk proclaimed Republic Day as Turkey’s most important holiday. Many people go to local stadiums on October 29 to watch performances dedicated to Republic Day in Turkey. Such performances usually consist of theater sketches, poetry readings and traditional Turkish dances. Schools in the country celebrate the Republic Day with readings, displays, songs and other presentations. Many school children participate in school performances for parents and teachers. Republic Day is an official national holiday in Turkey. Public administration buildings, schools, post offices and many small businesses are usually closed on this day.