Politics · Turkey · 4 hrs ago
Türkiye marks 103 years since the republic was declared
Turkey is marking 103 years since it became a republic on 29 October.
The Turkish parliament declared the republic in 1923, after the independence struggle that followed the First World War and the end of the Ottoman Empire.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk became the new state's first president after the vote.
The republic established popular sovereignty as the basis of government and began a broad programme of change.
Reforms reshaped education and women's political rights, including voting rights in local elections in 1930 and parliamentary elections in 1934.
The anniversary also highlights the republic's founding aims of independence, scientific progress, production and modernization.
The focus now is on carrying those aims into the republic's second century, with goals including stronger economic growth, better education and fairer access to prosperity.
Türkiye is marking 103 years since the republic was declared on 29 October 1923.
The Turkish Grand National Assembly declared the republic in a vote at 20:30 that evening.
Mustafa Kemal Pasha was elected the new state’s first president.
The anniversary recalls a political transformation that followed years of war and an independence struggle.
The source describes education, economic development and women’s rights as major parts of the republic’s legacy.
- Who
- Türkiye and its people are marking the anniversary of the republic.
- What
- The 103rd anniversary of the republic’s declaration is being marked.
- When
- 29 October 2026, 103 years after the declaration on 29 October 1923.
- Where
- Türkiye. The declaration took place at the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
- Why
- To mark the founding of the republic and its legacy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Turkish Grand National Assembly opened.
The sultanate was abolished.
The Treaty of Lausanne was signed.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk said, Tomorrow we will declare the Republic.
The Assembly declared the republic in a vote, and Mustafa Kemal Pasha was elected its first president.
- Anniversary
- 103 years
- Declaration date
- 29 October 1923
- Declaration time
- 20:30
- Location
- Turkish Grand National Assembly
- First president
- Mustafa Kemal Pasha
What people are saying
The form of government most suited to the character and customs of the Turkish nation is the republican form of government
Tomorrow we will declare the Republic
Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation