Page 18 - Young Wise

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May
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April
April

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HAPPY NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTYAPPY NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY
A
AND CHILDREN’S DAY!ND CHILDREN’S DAY!

April 23 marks a historic turning point for and abandoned children. In order to
the Turkish nation. On this day in 1920, increase donations and financial support,
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk opened the Turkish the society organised charity events on
Grand National Assembly in Ankara and April 23 and during the week of this day.
declared to the whole world that the Over time, these celebrations led people
Turkish people were establishing a new to see the day as a Children’s Festival as
state of their own will. By stating that well as National Sovereignty Day. The first
“there will not be any power above the large Children’s Festival celebrations began
assembly” in his opening speech, Atatürk on April 23, 1927.
prepared the ground for the founding of
Later, in 1929, upon Atatürk’s proposal, the
the Republic of Türkiye.
Turkish Grand National Assembly officially
designated April 23 as Children’s Day. In this Today, April 23, National Sovereignty and
way, Türkiye became the first country in Children’s Day, is celebrated with great
the world to celebrate an official Children’s enthusiasm not only in Türkiye but also
Day. Known for his love of children, in many countries around the world.
Atatürk expressed the importance he gave These celebrations strengthen friendships
to future generations with these words: between children from different nations
and help build a future based on peace. The
“Little ladies, little gentlemen! You
are all the roses, the stars, the shining tradition of leaders symbolically giving their
hopes of the future. It is you who seats to children on this day also sends a
The Assembly made vital decisions will carry the country into the light. powerful message: children will one day
take part in decision-making and become
that saved the country and shaped the Work with the awareness of how the leaders of the future.
modernisation process of the Turkish nation. important and valuable you are.”
One year after the Assembly’s opening, We celebrate April 23 National
April 23 was declared a national holiday and Sovereignty and Children’s Day with great
became the first official holiday of the new pride and joy, especially for our children,
Turkish state. who are the hope of our future.

The transformation of April 23 into
Children’s Day was greatly influenced by
the activities of the Himaye-i Etfal Society,
a foundation that supported orphaned

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