Canakkale Victory and Martyr’s Day

18 March is known in Turkey as Canakkale Victory and Martyr’s Day. It’s an important day, and this year it is the 103rd anniversary of Turkey’s defeat of Allied battleships who tried to take control of the Dardanelles, shelling Turkish forts along both the Asian and European shores of the Dardanelles in Canakkale. During this attack, the town of Canakkale, particularly its Greek quarter sufferedextensive damage. 

This day was a critical turning point in the nation building process of the Republic of Turkey and every year we stop to remember the incredible fearlessness and commitment of those soldiers who fought for Turkey’s freedom. So today, on the 18 March, we stop, and we remember, with the deepest respect, the courage shown by these men back in 1915, and their sacrifice for Turkey as a nation.