August 30th, which we celebrate with enthusiasm every year, is not just a date, it is a symbol of rebirth in these lands. This great victory, etched in the hearts of the Turkish nation, is a memory of resistance, leadership and faith that fostered hope even amidst hardship. Every year on August 30th, we commemorate this popular resistance, crowned with the victory for independence during the years of the War of Independence with pride and gratitude. Let’s explore the background and historical significance of this great victory together.
The Resurrection of a Nation: The Historical Background and Key Role of August 30
The years of the National Struggle, which began with Atatürk’s landing in Samsun in 1919, witnessed one of the most critical turning points in our history with the Victory of August 30. This victory was not merely a military success, it was the day a nation rewrote its own destiny. The determination of the people and army following the Battle of Sakarya gave life to the Great Offensive plan. The operation, launched from Kocatepe on the morning of August 26, 1922, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, culminated in a victory against the Greek army near Dumlupınar.
This glorious offensive of August 30, 1922, opened the door to the liberation of the country from occupation. The Great Offensive, personally led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, became not only the success of an army but also a symbol of the unity, solidarity and struggle of the weary people under occupation. Indeed, following the victory, İzmir was liberated from enemy occupation on September 9, 1922, and a republic was declared a year later on October 29, 1923. These developments highlight the pivotal role of August 30th in Turkish history.
August 30th Victory Day Tradition
The first August 30th celebration took place in 1924 in Dumlupınar, the site of the victory with a ceremony attended by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Exactly two years after the ceremony, this blessed day was declared an official holiday and began to be celebrated with enthusiasm throughout the country.
This victory, which gave Türkiye national sovereignty and independence, continues to be celebrated with the same enthusiasm, even years later. The celebrations, which begin with a moment of silence in the morning, resonate throughout the country. Streets are adorned with Turkish flags, students hold demonstrations and marches accompanied by national anthems are held. People gather, especially in large squares, around monuments representing the War of Independence and the Republic. With these victory celebrations, the people’s struggle in our history and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who led this struggle, are remembered with gratitude, appreciation and longing.
Traces of Victory in İstanbul
İstanbul was one of the key centers that played a role in the beginning of the National Struggle. The siege, which began with the occupation of İstanbul in 1918, spread throughout the country and was met with popular resistance led by Mustafa Kemal. The Republic Monument in Taksim, bearing all the traces of both occupation and liberation, immortalizes the Republic that this victory brought to Türkiye and its founders. Grand ceremonies are held in front of this monument on August 30th and other national holidays.
The Modest Museum Room of the Commander-in-Chief of Victory at Pera Palace
Pera Palace Hotel, a significant venue in the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the Republican era, first hosted Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1917, when he was a major general. Atatürk later visited Pera Palace numerous times, both to closely follow developments in the city and to host high-ranking guests.
A memoir from Atatürk’s stay at Pera Palace is also quite famous. Upon learning Mustafa Kemal’s identity, British General Harrington and his companions asked him to join them at their table. With his characteristic courtesy, Atatürk replied: “Although they seem to own İstanbul now, they will soon be gone. We are the hosts here; they are the guests. Guests are welcome here. If they wish, they may come to my table.”
Room 101, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed at Pera Palace, was converted into a museum in 1981, on the centennial of his birth. This room, as the place where the Great Leader made decisions that changed the course of history on the road to victory, has preserved its memory to this day. The room houses Atatürk’s personal belongings, books, press resources such as newspapers and magazines from the period and gifts that were sent to him.
You can visit the Atatürk Museum Room at Pera Palace Hotel to commemorate the Commander-in-Chief, the architect of the victory with respect and gratitude on August 30 Victory Day.
You might also be interested in these articles:
• The Story of Room 101, Atatürk’s Room at Pera Palace Hotel
• The Story of the Establishment of the Republic of Turkey in Its 96th Year
• The Importance of May 19, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Its 104th Anniversary
• 9 Places Where You Can See the Personal Belongings of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
• A Magnificent Witness to History: Pera Palace Hotel
