Victory Day (Turkey)

Victory Day (Turkish: Zafer Bayramı), also known as Turkish Armed Forces Day (Turkish: Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Günü),[1] is a public holiday in Turkey commemorating the decisive victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar, on 30 August 1922. It is also observed by Northern Cyprus.[2]

Victory Day
Soldiers of the Turkish Armed Forces during the Victory Day parade, 30 August 2007.
Official nameZafer Bayramı  (Turkish)
Also calledTurkish Armed Forces Day
The Thirtieth of August
Observed by Turkey
 Northern Cyprus
TypeNational
SignificanceThe day in 1922 that the Battle of Dumlupınar was won by the Turkish army
CelebrationsMilitary parades, aerobatics demonstrations, concerts, events at military schools
Date30 August
Next time30 August 2021 (2021-08-30)
Frequencyannual

Background

The holiday commemorates the decisive victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar, the last battle in the Greco-Turkish War, on 30 August 1922.[3] Following the battle, Greek presence in Anatolia ended.[3] Victory Day has been celebrated as an official holiday since 1926, and was first celebrated on 30 August 1923.[4]

Customs

Victory Day is celebrated across Turkey and in Northern Cyprus and is a celebration of the Turkish Armed Forces.[1][2] The main celebration is held at Anıtkabir in Ankara, where the President of Turkey leads officials in laying wreaths and then delivers a speech.[4][5] A ceremony is also held at the War Academy in Istanbul, with all military promotions made on this day, while parades are held in major cities across the country with Ankara also hosting a national parade in honor of the holiday.[6][7][8] August 30 is the day of graduation ceremonies of military schools in Turkey.[9] The Turkish Stars performs an airshow over Dumlupınar.[10] In the evening, holiday concerts are held in major cities to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces.[11][12] President of Turkey, acting as the Commander-in-chief, hosts an event at the Presidential Complex.[13]

  • A Turkish soldier on a BA-3/6 during a military parade in Ankara (1935)
  • Victory Day celebrations in North Nicosia, Northern Cyprus (2006)
  • President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan greets people during a parade (2014)

See also

References
  1. "Büyük Zafer'in 97. yıl dönümü kutlanıyor" (in Turkish). Anadolu Agency. August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  2. "2019'da 14'ü resmi, 119 gün tatil var". Kıbrıs Gazetesi (in Turkish). December 17, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  3. "Türk milletinin şanlı tarihinin dönüm noktası: 30 Ağustos" (in Turkish). Anadolu Agency. August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  4. "Turkey marks Victory Day as Erdoğan vows resistance against 'increasing threats'". Hürriyet Daily News (in Turkish). August 30, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  5. "Devletin zirvesi 30 Ağustos töreni için Anıtkabir'de..." Sabah (in Turkish). August 30, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  6. "30 Ağustos Zafer Bayramı Ve Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Günü". Milliyet (in Turkish). August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  7. "Zafer Bayramı'nın 97. yıl dönümü kutlamaları". BirGün (in Turkish). August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  8. Tunç, Süleyman (August 30, 2019). "Başkentte 30 Ağustos Kortej Yürüyüşü" (in Turkish). Anadolu Agency. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  9. "Erdoğan Harp Okulları Diploma Töreni'nde konuştu". Aydınlık (in Turkish). August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  10. "Türk Yıldızları'ndan nefes kesen gösteri!" (in Turkish). İhlas Haber Ajansı. August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  11. "30 Ağustos Zafer Bayramı coşkusu". Sabah (in Turkish). September 2, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  12. "Forum Mersin'de 30 Ağustos Zafer Bayramı konseri". Haberturk.com (in Turkish). September 3, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  13. "Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi'nde 30 Ağustos Zafer Bayramı resepsiyonu" (in Turkish). TRT Haber. August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
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