Turkey Celebrates 88th Anniversary of Foundation of Republic

The first ceremony to mark the 88th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey took place at Anitkabir, Mausoleum of Great Leader Ataturk, in Ankara on Saturday.

Pillars of the state, headed by Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul, laid a wreath on Ataturk’s Mausoleum and observed a minute of silence.

Gul later signed Anitkabir Special Registry. The ceremony, which was planned to take place in Ataturk Culture Center (AKM) in Ankara on October 29 Republic Day, was cancelled due to massive earthquake which hit the eastern province of Van.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel decided on Thursday to cancel the ceremony for this year.

Earlier, Gul also cancelled the reception which was planned to be hosted at Cankaya Presidential Palace on October 29.

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake jolted Van on Sunday, killing at least 576 people and wounding 2,608 others.