The establishment of Grand National Assembly of Türkiye

With the declaration issued on 19 March 1920, Mustafa Kemal called for a nationwide election to open the Assembly at Ankara. The parliamentarians were elected and Grand National Assembly of Türkiye opened its doors for the first time on April 23, 1920. Our Parliament’s fundamental duty was to protect our independence and strengthen the foundations of the state.

Declaration of 23 April as National Holiday

At the first anniversary of the Parliament’s opening, it was decided to celebrate 23 April as a national holiday. 5 years later, this national holiday was gifted to children by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Began to be celebrated as Children’s day beginning from 1929, its title was changed as the National Sovereignty and Children's Day afterwards.

April 23 becoming global

Following United Nations declaration making 1979 as the "World Children's Year", Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) developed a project bringing together children from all around the world. April 23 became global as the first Children’s Day celebrated worldwide with TRT International April 23 Children's Festival. The countries participating to the first April 23 festival in Ankara were Bulgaria, Iraq, Italy, Romania and USSR.

23 April at the Present Day

The tradition of inviting children to the state offices beginning from Atatürk continues to this day. Children temporarily replaces the heads of state on April 23. Moreover, you can see performances of children all around the stadiums of Türkiye, celebrating April 23 with jubilation. And the children visiting from various countries becomes a part of this excitment.