Turkey celebrates 93rd anniversary of founding

The celebrations marking the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic began Saturday with a ceremony at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Ankara, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and cabinet members, commanders, including Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman and Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar, attended the ceremony.

Erdogan laid a star-and-crescent wreath of red and white carnations on Ataturk's tomb.

A parade was held between the building that housed the republic's first parliament and the new parliament.

Issuing a message on the occasion of Republic Day, Erdogan said the day marked an occasion when the Turkish nation crowned its war of independence with unprecedented bravery to challenge captivity, sanctions and invaders.

"We founded Turkey on the principle that sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation and with the purpose of elevating our country to the level of developed civilizations," the president noted.

"The Republic of Turkey overcame difficulties for 93 years and made its mark among the rising powers of the world especially with its initiatives in the recent years," Erdogan said.

He stressed Turkey was now stronger, more determined and decisive than it was before the latest coup attempt, adding that "no attack against our unity, brotherhood, our lands, our independence, our future would succeed."

Separate celebrations were held in other cities with an emphasis on the memory of Ataturk and his legacy.

The Republic of Turkey was declared on Oct. 29, 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who later led a struggle for independence and mobilized millions to fight occupying forces in the aftermath of World War I. Endit