March 18th, Çanakkale Naval Victory and Martyrs' Memorial Day
We are honored to invite you to a special ceremony as we come together to commemorate 18 Mart Çanakkale Deniz Zaferi ve Şehitleri Anma Günü (March 18th, Çanakkale Naval Victory and Martyrs' Memorial Day). This is a cornerstone of Turkish history, a day of immense pride, remembrance, and reflection.
This ceremony is a beautiful opportunity for our children, many of whom are growing up abroad, to connect with their heritage and understand the sacrifices made for the nation of Turkey.
What is the 18th of March Çanakkale Victory?
For our younger students and non-Turkish friends, here is a simple explanation of what this day means:
The Çanakkale Wars, which took place during World War I, were a defining moment for Turkey. In 1915, powerful armies from other countries aimed to capture the strategic Dardanelles Strait (Çanakkale Boğazı) to open a sea route to their ally.
However, they did not count on the incredible courage and sacrifice of the Turkish people.
Under the leadership of the great commander Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish forces stood strong. The naval battle on March 18, 1915, was a great victory. When enemy ships tried to sail through the strait, they were met with fierce resistance and many were sunk. This victory was followed by a long and difficult land battle, but the spirit of the Turkish soldier, famously expressed in Atatürk's order, "I do not order you to attack, I order you to die!" ensured that the motherland was defended.
This victory is not just a military success; it is the story of a nation's fight for its future. It paved the way for the Turkish War of Independence and the founding of the Republic of Turkey.
We remember this day not only for the victory but also to honor the 250,000 Turkish martyrs who gave their lives for their country. It is a day of both solemn remembrance and national pride.
Our Ceremony Program:
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Opening & Moment of Silence: The ceremony will begin with a moment of silence to honor the martyrs of Çanakkale and all our fallen heroes.
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Singing of the Turkish National Anthem (İstiklal Marşı): We will proudly sing our National Anthem together.
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Opening Speech: A brief speech from our school principal on the meaning and importance of this day.
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Student Poems: Our students from different classes will recite powerful poems about Çanakkale, patriotism, and the martyrs.
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Slide Show / Video Presentation: A short, child-appropriate presentation with historical photos and visuals, set to moving music, to help tell the story of Çanakkale.
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Chorus Performance: Our school choir will perform beloved songs such as "Çanakkale İçinde" and other anthems.
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Special Skit / Role Play (Optional): Our younger students will perform a short, simple skit representing the unity and bravery of the Turkish people.
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Closing Remarks & Refreshments: The formal ceremony will conclude with closing thoughts, followed by light Turkish refreshments (çay, meyve suyu, kurabiye) for everyone to enjoy while we socialize.
We encourage all our students to come dressed respectfully. We also invite parents to bring a single red carnation if they wish, which is a traditional symbol of respect for the martyrs.
This event is a meaningful part of our children's Turkish cultural education. Your presence will make it even more special.
We look forward to commemorating this sacred day together.