Millions of Turks across the country and abroad on Tuesday (29 October) celebrated the 96th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the republic's founder officially declared the name of the nation and proclaimed the country's status as a republic on 29 October 1923.
A vote then took place in the Grand National Assembly, and Atatürk was elected the first president of the Republic of Turkey by a unanimous vote.
Events are taking place across the country, and in many schools children will present special performances for their parents and teachers.
It is also customary on this day for thousands of people, including high-level state officials, to pay visits to Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, also known as the Anitkabir.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan laid a wreath at Anıtkabir and signed the official memorial book as all Turkish Heads of State have done over decades.
In a message for the occasion Erdogan said that "Turkey, with its long history, its deeply rooted governing experience and almost century-long accumulations as a Republic, has the power, capability and determination to overcome all ... problems. As a matter of fact, with the help of Allah, with the support of our nation, we foiled all the traps set against our country one by one," the message said.
source: commonspace.eu with Andaolu agency Ankara, Hurriyet Daily news, Istanbul and other agencies
photo: President Recip Tayip erdogan leaving the Ataturk Mauselum in Ankara after paying his respects to the memory of the first Turkish president on the occasion of republic day. (picture courtesy of Anadolu news Agency Ankara).
