Azernews.Az

The Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan has hosted an official reception to celebrate the Victory and Armed Forces Day, Azertac reported.

Participants in the event included embassy staffers, Turkish military attaché in Azerbaijan, entrepreneurs, state and government officials, members of the Azerbaijani parliament, ambassadors of foreign countries to Azerbaijan, and media representatives.

Addressing the event, Undersecretary of the Turkish Embassy Meral Barlas highlighted the history of the Victory Day. She said the Turkish armed forces gained historic victory under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1922.

Barlas read out a congratulatory message of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Victory Day is a national holiday in Turkey, always celebrated on 30 August.

Victory Day commemorates the victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar which was the decisive battle in the Turkish War of Independence in 1922. It also honors the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

The battle of Dumlupınar took place in Kütahya province in western Turkey. Although foreign forces didn't leave Turkish soil until the autumn of 1922, 30 August is accepted as the date of the Turkish army’s victory.

The Turkish Republic was proclaimed on 29 October 1923, in the new capital of Ankara. Atatürk was elected as the first President.

Victory Day was first celebrated on 30 August 1923, becoming a national holiday in 1935.

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