104 years ago today... Happy April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day
April 23, the anniversary of the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, became Turkey's first national holiday. Happy April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, which is being celebrated for the 104th time this year.
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National Sovereignty and Children's Day is a national and official holiday celebrated in the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on April 23, the anniversary of the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Holding the distinction of being the first national holiday of the Republic of Turkey, this holiday began to be celebrated in Turkey starting in 1921 under the name "April 23 National Holiday."
Although its legal name was not "Children's Day" at first, it was later celebrated as a children's holiday starting in 1927 with the aim of providing children with a joyful day and generating income for the Society for the Protection of Children (Himaye-i Etfal Cemiyeti).
The name of the holiday became "National Sovereignty Day" in 1935, and "National Sovereignty and Children's Day" in 1981.
Following UNESCO's declaration of 1979 as the "Year of the Child," this holiday was elevated to an international level with the launch of the TRT International April 23 Children's Festival by the state broadcaster, the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation.
The custom initiated by the Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1933, of receiving children in his office on April 23 and chatting with them, became widespread and traditionalized as part of this holiday; the tradition of having children sit in the office chairs of state officials continued until 2013.
WHICH COUNTRIES CELEBRATE APRIL 23?
April 23 is celebrated as National Sovereignty and Children's Day in Turkey and the TRNC.
In the Republic of Kosovo, Kosovo Turks have adopted April 23, which is celebrated as National Sovereignty and Children's Day in the Republic of Turkey, as "Kosovo Turks Day."