Turkey celebrates National Sovereignty and Children's Day

April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day was celebrated nationwide with enthusiasm yesterday. As part of official celebrations in Ankara, state officials headed by Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Laying a wreath at Ataturk's tomb, Toptan and other top officials observed a minute of silence and sang the national anthem. "We are progressing along the road to take the republic that you entrusted us with to the level of contemporary civilizations in light of your principles," Toptan wrote in Anitkabir's memorial guestbook. He added that Parliament would forever keep the republic a democratic, secular and social state under the rule of law. At a later ceremony at the old Parliament building in Ankara's Ulus district, Toptan said it is everyone's duty to bring Turkey to the level of contemporary civilizations. In the afternoon, Toptan received congratulations on Parliament's 89th anniversary. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug and force commanders, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, the heads of Turkey's three higher courts, members of Parliament's Administrative Council, deputies, top presidential aides, Council of Higher Education (YOK) head Yusuf Ziya Ozcan and representatives from other public agencies as well as from universities attended a reception hosted by Toptan in Parliament. In Istanbul, Governor Muammer Guler and other officials laid a wreath at the Republican Monument in Taksim Square, and observed a minute of silence. There were ceremonies at schools and stadiums throughout the country yesterday. President Abdullah Gul, Toptan, Erdogan, and other top state and government officials also ceremonially handed over their duties to Turkish children in honor of the holiday. Gul also attended a celebration and met with children at an elementary school in Ankara's Cankaya district. It was on April 23, 1920, during the War of Independence, that the Turkish Grand National Assembly (Parliament) was inaugurated in Ankara and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk laid down the foundations of a new, independent, secular, and modern Republic of Turkey. He also dedicated this day to the children of the country to emphasize that they are the future of the new nation and since then, April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day has been celebrated as a national holiday. The importance of April 23 as a special day for children has also been recognized internationally, and UNICEF declared it International Children's Day. Every year on this date, children from all over the world come together in Turkey to enjoy celebrations and festivities in the hope that these friendly memories contribute to a future of greater fellowship and peace among nations.