Washington Mayor Bowser honors Türkiye on its 103rd Republic Day

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has issued a proclamation honoring the Republic of Türkiye on its 103rd national day, saying the city joins the Turkish Embassy, the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC, and the diaspora in celebrating Oct. 29. Ally Daily obtained a copy of the document.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has signed a proclamation honoring the Republic of Türkiye on the 103rd anniversary of its founding on Oct. 29. Ally Daily obtained a copy of the document, titled "Republic of Turkey National Day," which has not yet been published online.

"Now, therefore, I, the Mayor of Washington, DC, do hereby honor the Republic of Turkey on the occasion of its 103rd National Day," the proclamation reads. It describes the proclamation of the Republic on Oct. 29, 1923, as "a historic moment of independence, reform, and modernization."

Mayor Muriel Bowser's proclamation for the Republic's 103rd anniversary

"A vibrant Turkish American community"

The document says the District of Columbia is home to a vibrant Turkish American community whose contributions span the arts, education, medicine, science and technology. It adds that the city joins the Embassy of Türkiye, the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC (ATA-DC) and the diaspora in celebrating the day, "honoring the enduring friendship between the people of Turkey and the United States."

The proclamation honors the anniversary but does not designate an official city day. Washington's Turkish community gathered on Pennsylvania Avenue last weekend for the 24th annual Turkish Festival, and ATA-DC will hold its Republic Day ball on Nov. 1.