August 30th Victory Day

August 30^th Victory Day, one of the national days that makes the Turkish nation to experience the awareness of "being a nation", is celebrated every year by ceremonies to commemorate the "Great Offensive" that resulted in victory in Dumlupinar on August 30, 1922 under the Command of Mustafa Kemal. The victory of August 30^th has been celebrated throughout the country and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus since 1926.

At the end of the Great Offensive, which is also known as the "Field Battle of Commander-in-Chief" since it was held under the Command of Ataturk, the Greek troops were followed to Izmir and the Greek occupation of Turkish lands ended with the liberation of Izmir on September 9, 1922. The day of August 30^th was first celebrated in Afyon in 1924 under the name of Commander-in-Chief Victory, and it was started to be celebrated as Victory Day since 1926.

The Great Offensive was a military operation planned by the Turkish army in order to strike the final blow against the invading forces. The invading forces were going to be expelled from Anatolia through this operation. Indeed, Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief for the fourth time in the congress of Grand National Assembly of Turkey on July 20, 1922, took the decision to attack in June and carried out all the preparations in secret. The Great Offensive started in Afyon on the night of August 26 to 27; the invading troops were besieged in the vicinity of Aslihan, and the victory was achieved by rendering these troops ineffective in the Battle of Dumlupinar under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The victory of August 30^th was celebrated for the first time in 1924 in Dumlupinar in the vicinity of the village of Cal village upon the attendance of President Mustafa Kemal. It took two years for the victory of commander-in-chief to be celebrated, as 1923 was a busy year for Turkey. The first ceremony was held in the Village of Cal, and Mustafa Kemal laid the foundation of the Monument of Unknown Soldier with his wife Mrs.Latife.

The Victory of Commander-in-Chief has been celebrated as "Victory Day" since 1926. The Victory Day Law, which was enacted on April 1, 1926, highlights that the day of the Field Battle of the Commander-in-Chief was the Victory Day of our army and navy, and that it would be celebrated every year by the land and naval forces.

The Victory Day started to be celebrated extensively since 1960s, and the military schools in Turkey began to organize their graduation ceremonies on August 30. All the rank changes of officers and non-commissioned officers also take effect on August 30.

August 30^th is a public holiday throughout Turkey. In accordance with the regulation established, the Victory Day ceremonies are held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - General Directorate of Protocol and in coordination with Turkish General Staff.

The ceremonies of August 30^th start at 07.00 A.M. and ends at 12:00 P.M. A 21-gun salute is fired in the capital city at 12:00 A.M.

During the ceremony where the President visits Anitkabir and lays a wreath, congratulations are accepted at the Presidential Complex, and the day of the nation is celebrated with the participants. Then, the President hosts the Victory Day reception.

In provinces other than Ankara, the Garrison commander, local authority and mayor lay wreaths on the monuments and busts of Ataturk. The congratulations are accepted. The day of the nation is celebrated, and Turkish flag is raised up to the flagpole, accompanied by the Turkish National Anthem. The parade is greeted by the military and civilian officials from the tribune of honor. The governor hosts the Victory Day reception.

August 30^th Victory Day, which is also known as the "Field Battle of Commander-in-Chief" and "Great Offensive" and of which age of 98 will be celebrated this year, marked our history as the most glorious day, when Turkish lands were liberated from the occupation.

Happy August 30^th Victory Day for whole nation.