As our Great Leader Atatürk stated, the basis of freedom, equality and justice is our national sovereignty and the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.

As our Great Leader Atatürk stated, the basis of freedom, equality and justice is our national sovereignty and the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. The Turkish nation began to be governed through the rulers it elected 104 years ago, and with the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, sovereignty passed from the sultan and sultanate to the people. Atatürk, who revived the Turkish nation with the idea of national independence and guided the liberation struggle, made a decision that would shape the future of the state against the Allied Powers that occupied Istanbul on March 16, 1920 and announced with a circular published on March 19, 1920 that "an Assembly with extraordinary authority will convene" in Ankara, the heart of Anatolia.

On April 23, 1920, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the source of legitimacy for the national struggle, was inaugurated with a ceremony in Ankara, ending 624 years of Ottoman sultanate and handing over sovereignty to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on behalf of the people. On April 23, 1920, the Turkish people declared their sovereignty with our parliament, which carried the responsibility of "leading the Turkish nation to full independence" on its shoulders.

The Grand National Assembly of Türkiye is the place where the fire of hope burns and the heart of the Turkish nation beats; it is the first parliament in the world to lead a nation's war of liberation. Our parliament is the center of resistance against the sultanate and enemy occupation, the symbol of national power and courage.

We reiterate our loyalty and gratitude to the Great Atatürk, who brought our country to national sovereignty in the struggle for independence carried out with the will and determination of the nation, established the modern Republic of Türkiye and ensured a secular and democratic social order with the revolutions he made on this journey.

We also respectfully remember our heroic commanders, veterans and all our martyrs who fought for our rights, freedom and independence at the cost of their lives in the War of Independence. We owe them all our rights and achievements, including rights, freedoms and innovations brought by our century-old Republic.

Atatürk, who dedicated this special day, on April 23rd, 1929, when our national sovereignty was proclaimed, as a holiday for all the children of the world, always saw the future of the Republic of Türkiye, which he founded, in the eyes of children.

Today, as Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği, we share the dreams of our children by looking to the future with hope in the light of our Republic and its values, which we have protected for a century. We know very well that it will always be our children who raise hope in us and who raise hope for the future.

With the support of the Turkish nation, the unconditional owner of sovereignty, we will continue to defend the right to secular and scientific education of our children, who are the guarantee of our future, for a secular, democratic and modern Republic of Türkiye.

Happy April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day!

Headquarters and All Branches of Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği