National Sovereignty and Children's Day
National Sovereignty and Children's Day () is a public holiday in Turkey commemorating the foundation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, on 23 April 1920. It is also observed by Northern Cyprus. Background 23 April is the day that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was founded in 1920. The national council denounced the government of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed VI and announced a temporary constitution. During the War of Independence, Grand National Assembly met in Ankara and laid down the foundations of a new, independent, secular and modern republic from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. Following the defeat of the Allied invasion forces on September 9, 1922 and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923, the Turkish Government started the task of establishing the institutions of a state. 23 April was declared "National Sovereignty Day" on May 2, 1921. Since 1927, the holiday has also been celebrated as a children's day. Thus, Turkey became the first country to officially declare children's day a national holiday. In 1981, the holiday was officially named "National Sovereignty and Children's Day." Customs Every year, the children in Turkey celebrate National Sovereignty and Children's Day as a national