War of Independence Museum
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| Established | April 23, 1961 |
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| Location | 14/22 Cumhuriyet Bulvarι, Ulus, Ankara, Turkey |
| Website | Official website |
The War of Independence Museum (Kurtuluş Savaşı Müzesi), housed in the first Turkish Grand National Assembly building in the Ulus district of Ankara, Turkey, displays important photographs, documents and furniture from the Turkish War of Independence.
The one-storey andesite (Ankara stone) building was designed by architect Salim Bey, at the request of Enver Pasha, as the headquarters of the Committee of Union and Progress. Construction began in 1915, under the supervision of Turkish Army Corps architect Hasip Bey. Before the building was finished, the Turkish Grand National Assembly decided use it, and its completion had to be hurried for the inaugural meeting.
Thousands gathered in Ulus Square for the opening of the assembly on April 23, 1920, and Sinop representative Serif Bey, who as the oldest member had been chosen as President of the Assembly, made the first speech.
Honourable members of the Assembly, it is well known that the Capitol of Caliphate and the Government has been occupied in temporary terms by the enemy forces and our independence has been restricted in every respect. Submission to these conditions means acceptance of captivity imposed by the foreign powers. However, eternally free and an independent nation of ours, determined to exist in absolute independence, rejected this captivity with final determination and by gathering its representatives, brought into being this Grand Assembly of ours. In the name of the speaker of the Grand Assembly and by the help of God, I declare the principals of absolute independence and self determination of the nation to the whole world and open the National Assembly.
Ankara representative Mustafa Kemal followed him.
As you all know, our Grand Assembly is constituted by the re-elected honourable members charged with extraordinary powers and honourable members fleeing from the Government Capital which was attacked and occupied. The constitution of this Grand Assembly was made possible only by the new election system, which included those who were able to flee from the capital and join us. Presently your Assembly is meeting with all legalities.
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Wikipedia