By Servet Gunerigok
WASHINGTON (AA) – Turkey's 95th Republic Day was celebrated Monday at a reception at the country’s embassy in Washington, DC.
The event began with the playing of the two countries’ national anthems.
During his welcoming speech, Ambassador Serdar Kilic read out Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's message to the guests.
In his message, the president expressed his gratitude to the members of parliament for making efforts for the liberation, development, growth and strengthening of the country since the foundation of parliament on April 23,1920.
“I wish Allah's mercy upon all our ancestors, martyrs and veterans shedding blood and making great efforts for every inch of the Anatolian territory, our millennial motherland, ” said Erdogan.
“We will continue working with all our strength for the Republic of Turkey to stand forever as we reach the 95th anniversary of its foundation. With these thoughts, I celebrate once again our 29 October Republic Day, ” he said.
Among the guests was Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Palmer, who conveyed U.S. President Donald Trump's “sincere congratulations ” in a message on the occasion of the anniversary.
“As your nation celebrates the 95th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, the partnership between the United States and Turkey — NATO allies since 1952 — remains important, ” said Trump in his message.
Stating that economic, political and cultural ties between the two countries continue to benefit the peoples of both nations, Trump said: “As you proudly commemorate this anniversary, the American people wish our Turkish friends all the best. ”
The official proclamation of the Turkish Republic by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the republic's founder, took place Oct. 29, 1923, when the name of the nation and its status as a republic were declared.
A vote then took place in the Grand National Assembly, and Ataturk, a revolutionary statesman, was elected first president of the Republic of Turkey by a unanimous vote.
Since then, Turkey celebrates Republic Day every Oct. 29.
On Monday, President Erdogan, senior government and military officials and opposition leaders laid a wreath at Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum in Ankara.
