State officials led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Anıtkabir for Republic Day on October 29. Erdoğan and those accompanying him laid a wreath at Atatürk’s mausoleum and observed a moment of silence.

Erdoğan signs Anıtkabir’s Special Book
After the ceremony, Erdoğan went to the Misak-ı Millî Tower, signed Anıtkabir’s Special Book and read his message.
Erdoğan began his message with the following words: “Dear Atatürk, today we are celebrating the 103rd anniversary of the founding of our Republic, for which we have paid a great price. On this important day that set a new course for our history, I respectfully commemorate you, your comrades-in-arms and our heroic martyrs with gratitude.”
Erdoğan said they were struggling on different fronts to bring the Republic of Türkiye, together with its state and nation, to “prosperous and victorious tomorrows.” He recalled Atatürk’s speech to the Grand National Assembly on March 1, 1922, before the Republic had been proclaimed.
“Our national cause is our life”
Quoting Atatürk’s words, “No means or force can be conceived that could deter us from pursuing our national cause. Our national cause is our life,” Erdoğan wrote: “In this light, we will continue working resolutely until we achieve the Türkiye Century goal, which we regard as our national cause. May your soul rest in peace.”
TDT summit also taking place in Ankara
In a video message issued for the 103rd anniversary of the Republic, President Erdoğan also said, “Thankfully, Türkiye is stronger today than it was yesterday,” and highlighted advances in the defense industry, energy and transportation. Ankara is also hosting the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States on October 29-30.