Bergen County Held a Celebration Recognizing Turkish Independence Day

The holiday commemorates 29 October 1923, when Mustafa Kemal declared that Turkey would be a republic. Turkey had effectively been a republic since 23 April 1920 (the establishment of Grand National Assembly of Turkey), but official recognition of this came only three years later. On 29 October 1923, the name of the nation, Turkey, and its status as a republic was declared.

County Executive James Tedesco along with freeholders Dr. Joan M. Voss, Thomas J. Sullivan and Hackensack Mayor John P. Labrosse attended the Flag Raising event. Program starts with Master of Ceremonies Michael Pagan`s welcoming remarks and Bergen County Police Department`s presentation following Pledge of Allegiance . Then, County Executive James Tedesco and Turkish Cultural Center New Jersey President Oz Senturk gave a speech about the importance of the day. Turkish students from Pioneer Academy of Science, recited Turkish and American National Anthem with audiences. After Freeholder Tracy Hilna Zur`s closing remarks, guests enjoyed with delicious turkish food.