| On April 23, 1920, the first meeting of the Turkish Grand National Assembly was held following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I. A few years later, Ataturk, the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic, dedicated April 23rd to the children of Turkey, the country�s future. Now, the day was called National Sovereignty and Children�s Day, and on this national holiday Turkish flags decorated every town and village and children�s festivities took place all over the country. Before heading to the boat that day, Mary watched some of the children�s festivities at Beldibi�s open-air theater. Noticeable were the Turkish flags and the picture of Ataturk draping the stage as Ataturk was still highly revered by all Turks. |
