From a historic parliamentary vote to a momentous announcement over dinner, the story behind 29 October is one of war, independence and political transformation.
Today, Thursday 29 October 2026, marks the 103rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye.
Known in Turkish as Cumhuriyet Bayramı, Republic Day commemorates the moment in 1923 when the Turkish Parliament formally declared the country a republic and elected Mustafa Kemal, later given the surname Atatürk, as its first president.
To mark the occasion, here are ten facts about the birth of the Republic and the national holiday that celebrates it.
1. The Republic emerged from a struggle for independence
Oil painting of the Turkish army recapturing Izmir on 9th September 1922
The proclamation followed the Turkish national movement’s victory in the War of Independence, led by Mustafa Kemal after the First World War and the occupation of Ottoman territories.
Military success was followed by the Treaty of Lausanne, signed on 24 July 1923. Three months later, the declaration of the Republic marked another decisive step in establishing the new state.
2. Parliament existed before the Republic — and opened with 115 MPs
The Grand National Assembly first convened in Ankara on 23 April 1920, more than three years before the Republic was proclaimed. Below is a scene from that day.
According to Turkish Parliament’s museum history, 115 representatives attended that opening meeting. Across the first parliamentary term, from 1920 to 1923, a total of 437 MPs served, including members arriving from the last Ottoman Parliament and replacements for those who left.
So, 115 and 437 describe different things: attendance on the first day and membership across the first term. The Republic itself was proclaimed during the second Parliament.
3. The sultanate had already been abolished
The end of Ottoman royal rule and the proclamation of the Republic happened almost a year apart.
Parliament abolished the sultanate on 1 November 1922. The caliphate, a separate religious institution, survived beyond the Republic’s founding and was abolished on 3 March 1924. These were distinct stages in the transformation of the state.
4. Ankara became the capital just 16 days beforehand
Ankara was formally designated the capital on 13 October 1923, only 16 days before the Republic was proclaimed.
The city had already become the headquarters of the national movement and the home of Parliament. Its designation confirmed its place at the heart of the new political order.
5. A famous announcement was made over dinner
On the evening of 28 October 1923, Mustafa Kemal gathered colleagues for dinner at Çankaya in Ankara and announced that the Republic would be proclaimed the following day.
He later recalled the moment in Nutuk, his extensive account of the national struggle. After the other guests departed, İsmet Pasha — later known as İsmet İnönü — stayed behind, and the two prepared the constitutional changes.
6. The Republic was proclaimed at 8.30pm —“Yaşasın Cumhuriyet!”
The historic decision came on a Monday evening.
At around 8.30pm on 29 October 1923, Parliament adopted the amendment to the 1921 Constitution establishing a republican form of government. The declaration was greeted with applause and cries of “Yaşasın Cumhuriyet!” — “Long live the Republic!”
7. All 158 MPs voting elected Mustafa Kemal president
Following the proclamation, Parliament elected the Republic’s first president by secret ballot.
Mustafa Kemal received all 158 votes cast. The figure refers to the MPs participating in the presidential election, rather than the full membership of Parliament.
İsmet İnönü formed the Republic’s first government as prime minister the following day, 30 October.
8. Türkiye’s first president was not yet called Atatürk
Although he is now known around the world as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Republic’s founder did not bear that surname in 1923.
Parliament bestowed the surname Atatürk, commonly translated as “Father of the Turks”, on 24 November 1934, following the introduction of the Surname Law earlier that year.
9. Republic Day became a national holiday in 1925
The Republic dates from 1923, but the law establishing its anniversary as a national holiday came two years later.
On 19 April 1925, Parliament adopted Law No. 628, formally making 29 October a national celebration, observed both within Türkiye and at its diplomatic missions abroad.
10. The holiday officially begins the day before
Republic Day’s official holiday period starts at 1pm on 28 October and continues throughout 29 October.
That makes it a one-and-a-half-day public holiday, giving the eve of the anniversary its own place in the national calendar.
Cumhuriyet Bayramımız kutlu olsun! Happy Turkish Republic Day to all celebrating.
