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Culture

National Sovereignty and Children’s Day

National Sovereignty and Children's Day (Turkish: Ulusal
Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) is one of the public holidays in
Turkey.
"Egemenlik kayıtsız şartsız milletindir."
"Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the people."
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Background

of April 23 to all the world's Ataturk started his task of
children to emphasize that they establishing the institutions of
are successor of the the new state. Over the next
future.[1][2] It was on April 23, eight years, Ataturk and his
1920, during the War of followers adopted sweeping
Independence, that the Grand reforms to create a modern
National Assembly met Turkey, divorced from her
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (mid) in Ankara on the in Ankara and laid down the Ottoman past. In
"Day of National Sovereignty", present-day the
"National Sovereignty and Children's Day", on foundations of a new, unprecedented moves, he
April 23, 1929. independent, secular, and dedicated the sovereignty day to
modern republic from the ashes the children and entrusted in
This national day, 23 April of the Ottoman Empire. the hands of the youth the
National Sovereignty and Following the defeat of protection of this sovereignty
Children's Day, in Turkey is a the Allied invasion forces on and independence.
unique event. The founder of September 9, 1922 and the
the Turkish Republic, Mustafa signing of the Treaty of
Kemal Atatürk, made a present Lausanne on July 24, 1923,

April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day

Every year, the children in parliamentarians in the Grand festivities. During their stay in
Turkey celebrate this National Assembly and hold a Turkey, the foreign children are
"Sovereignty and Children's special session to discuss housed in Turkish homes and
Day" as a national holiday. matters concerning children's find an important opportunity
Schools participate in week- issues. to interact with the Turkish
long ceremonies marked by children and learn about each
performances in all fields in other's countries and cultures.
large stadiums watched by the The foreign children groups
entire nation. Among the also participate in the special
activities on this day, the session of the Grand National
children send their Assembly. This results in a truly
representatives to replace state international Assembly, where
officials and high ranking civil children pledge their
servants in their offices. Children from Macedonia performing folk dance on commitment to international
The President, the Prime the street on the "National Sovereignty and peace and brotherhood.
Children's Day" at Beykoz, Istanbul in 2014.
Minister, the cabinet ministers, The importance of April 23 as a
provincial governors all turn Over the last two decades, the special day of children has been
over their positions to Turkish officials have been recognized by the international
children's representatives. working hard to internationalize community. UNICEF decided
These children, in turn, sign this important day. Their to recognize this important day
executive orders relating to efforts resulted in large number as the International Children's
educational and environmental of world states' sending groups Day.
policies. On this day, the of children to Turkey to
children also replace the participate in the above stated

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