ANKARA (AA) - Ceremonies also take place in foreign representations and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Early in the day, high-level state officials led by Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Republic of Turkey.
Turkish deputy prime ministers Bulent Arinc, Besir Atalay and Bekir Bozdag, Chairman of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, several other ministers and MPs accompanied Turkish Parliament Speaker Cicek.
Cicek and other officials laid a wreath at the Mausoleum, observed a minute of silence, sang National Anthem, and signed the special book.
It was on April 23, 1920, during the War of Independence, that the Grand National Assembly met in Ankara and laid down the foundations of a new, independent, secular, and modern republic from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk also dedicated this day to the children of the country to emphasize that they were the future of the new nation. Since then, April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day is celebrated in Turkey as a national day. April 23 is the only children's festival in the world.
Every year on this date, children from all around the world come together in Turkey to enjoy Children's Day celebrations and festivities in a hope that these memories of friendly atmosphere will contribute to a future of enhanced brotherhood and peace among nations.
The President, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet ministers, provincial governors all turn over their positions to children's representatives on April 23. Children also replace the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly and hold a special session to discuss matters concerning children's issues.
