Ask Mehmet: National Sovereignty and Children's Day

  • Published
  • By Mehmet Birbiri
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs host nation advisor
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Everybody loves children. Although they can be frustrating from time to time, they are our hope and our future, the flowers of human beings like the flowers blooming in April.

Turkey emphasizes the love, hope and future of children by proclaiming a national holiday for them. As far as I know, Turkey is the first country to proclaim such a day.

We celebrate this holiday every year on April 23, and it is officially known as the "National Sovereignty and Children's Day."

There is a lot of history behind this day. When the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War I; England, France, Italy, Greece and Russia's forces occupied Turkey. The country's ruling sultan was only a figurehead, because the occupying forces, mainly England, dictated orders to him in Istanbul, the capital of the empire. The occupying British forces closed the Ottoman Parliament. Some parliament members fled, some were exiled, and others were put in prison. 

Mustafa Kemal, later named Ataturk, didn't stand still. Knowing and believing in his nation, he left Istanbul and ignited the War of Independence in Anatolia. He set up resistance forces and organized congresses at different locations. 

In order to succeed, he knew the nation had to be united, so he sent messages throughout the country asking for support. 

Representatives traveled to Ankara to help make decisions on the nation's future. Ankara was in a central region of Anatolia and was not occupied by the foreign forces. Ankara was proclaimed as the capital of the country later on. The first Grand National Assembly opened April 23, 1920 under Ataturk's chairmanship. The vital decisions of the Grand National Assembly saved the country and led to founding the Republic of Turkey. 

During the War of Independence, many children became homeless orphans. Ataturk's concern for these children led to the foundation of the Institute for the Salvation of Children. 

Then, because children were the future of Turkey, Ataturk dedicated the day, the young republic's most important day, to the children of the nation in celebration of the opening of the Grand National Assembly. 

Wednesday marks the 88th anniversary of that happy and important event. 

Major ceremonies and celebrations take place in Ankara and Istanbul. Throughout the country, elementary schools are decorated and children wear special uniforms to commemorate the day. 

One special activity is to have a child symbolically in charge of every administrative position from president to mayor on that special day for the children. Children usually give orders such as opening new playgrounds or schools. The ceremony in Adana will be at the stadium starting at 9 a.m. Ceremonies will also be held at Incirlik village.