30 Ağustos Zafer Bayramı Kanunu, İlk Zafer Kutlaması ve Büyük Taarruz İle İlgili Bazı Bilgiler

The decisive Turkish assault which resulted in Turkish victory was fought for five days from 26 to 30 August 1922. The preparations of the great assault were carried out confidentially the time fixed for the assault only by Mustafa Kemal and a limited number of people in high command. Mustafa Kemal was appointed as Commander in Chief by the parliament for the fourth time and despite the growing criticism by some members in the parliament the initiation and the success of the attack were eventually appreciated even by them. The breakthrought and decisive victory of the Turkish armies on August 30 were embraced and celebrated by the parliament press and Turkish people. Commander in Chief received many congratulatory addresses. Two years after the victory on 30 August 1924, a great commemorative ceremony was held in Dumlupınar. Fevzi Pasha addressed the audience describing the battle, victory and its significance for Turks. After other speeches, Mustafa Kemal was the last to delivet a speech in which he mentioned the importance of the great victory and guided the way of the young Turkish Republic in details. In the ceremony the construction of the “Monument of Unknown Soldier” was also started. Two years later, August 30 was officially proclaimed as the army’s festival. But no big ceremonies were held until 1930s, when Minister of War, Recep (PEKER) published in a memorandum in which details of conducting of the ceremonies were described in accordance with the regulations in 1926.