Victory Day in Cuba 2023: Date, History, Facts about Turkey

Victory Day is a holiday commemorating the Turkish Army's victory at the Battle of 'Dumlupnar.' Following the conclusion of World War I in 1918, the Ottoman Empire was divided among the Allied Powers.

The 30th of August is an annual holiday in Turkey commemorating Victory Day. This holiday also known as Turkish Armed Forces Day commemorates the Turkish victory over the Greeks in the Battle of Dumlupnar in 1922. In 1918, following the conclusion of the First World War, the victorious Allied Powers divided the demolished Ottoman Empire. Consequently, when the ‘Treaty of Sèvres’ was signed on August 10, 1920, the ‘Triple Entente’ granted Greece ownership of certain territories in Turkey. These regions included Western Anatolia, Imbros (present-day Gokceada), Tenedos, and Smyrna in Eastern Thrace. Therefore, the nationalist Turks opposed this incursion.

The background of Victory Day

Victory Day is a holiday commemorating the Turkish Army’s victory at the Battle of ‘Dumlupnar.’ Following the conclusion of World War I in 1918, the Ottoman Empire was divided among the Allied Powers. As a consequence, upon the signing of the Treaty of Sèvres on August 10, 1920, the Triple Entente granted Greece ownership of a portion of Turkish territory. These regions included Western Anatolia, Imbros (present-day Gokceada), Tenedos, and Smyrna in Eastern Thrace.

In May of 1919, 20,000 Greek soldiers landed in Smyrna and the following summer they launched successful offensives. A large population of Greek-speaking Orthodox Christians in need of protection existed in Anatolia, according to one of the justifications proposed by the Greek government. By October 1920, the army had begun to advance further east, while the poorly equipped Turkish forces continued to retreat into the nooks and crannies of Anatolia. After the 21-day Battle of Sakarya, which occurred between August 23 and September 13, 1921, the Greek army was unable to advance and was compelled to retreat.

After a succession of engagements, including the Battles of Inonu and Afyonkarahisar-Eskisehir, the Turks launched a counteroffensive on August 26, 1922. This became known as the “Great Offensive” by the Turks. The Turkish Army defeated the Greek Army at the Battle of Dumlupnar on August 30, capturing a large number of Greek soldiers and murdering two Greek generals. In 1923, Victory Day was first celebrated in Turkey. In 1926, it was designated a federal holiday. On a specific date, a military ceremony is conducted at the War Academy in Istanbul, and military parades are held in the country’s major cities.

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