Turkey marks 96th anniversary of Republic Day

On Oct. 29, 1923, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk officially declared name of nation, proclaimed country’s status as republic

The 96th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey is being celebrated across the country on Tuesday.

Turkey marks 96th anniversary of Republic Day

Various archive shots from Turkey’s Independence War and the very first years of the young Turkish Republic which is founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923.

On Oct. 29, 1923, Ataturk officially declared the name of the nation and proclaimed the country’s status as a republic.

A vote then took place in the Grand National Assembly, and Ataturk, a revolutionary statesman, was elected the first president of the Republic of Turkey by unanimous vote.

Since then, Turkey celebrates the Republic Day every Oct. 29.

Republic Day is being celebrated in all provinces of Turkey and the country’s representations abroad.

Government ceremony in the capital Ankara, art events and fireworks in Istanbul, concerts and torchlight processions in the Aegean Izmir province are among the symbols of Republic Day celebrations in Turkey.