Today’s doodle celebrates national sovereignty and Children’s Day in Turkey. Every year on April 23, Turkiye welcomes thousands of children from all over the world, giving them the opportunity to come together, celebrate, and learn about each other’s cultures.
By establishing the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara on this day in 1920, the Turkish people made a significant advancement toward the creation of the Republic of Türkiye. Exactly nine years after Turkish independence was achieved, the assembly accepted Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s request and made April 23 a national holiday honoring children. This became Turkey the first nation to observe Children’s Day.
Every year, children from all over the world are invited to Turkey to come and take part in the celebrations. As a reminder that children are the future, celebrations range from festivals where kids can sing and dance to symbolic actions like schoolchildren sitting in the Turkish Parliament and “governing” the nation for a day.
Happy on Children’s Day and National Sovereignty, Turkey!