On 22 April 2026, a significant conference was held at the Karaman Closed Penitentiary Institution as part of the activities commemorating the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day of 23 April. The conference, delivered by Research Assistant Aytunç Ülker from the Department of History, was entitled “23 April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day: The Opening of the Grand National Assembly and National Sovereignty.”

The conference emphasized that 23 April represents not merely a national holiday, but a critical historical turning point at which the sovereignty of the Turkish nation was formally proclaimed. Within this framework, the late period of the Ottoman Empire-marked by profound political and military transformations-the occupations following the First World War, the organization of the National Struggle, and the process leading to the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey were examined in relation to the necessity of establishing a new representative body in Ankara. Research Assistant Ülker underlined that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, inaugurated on 23 April 1920, institutionalized the principle that sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation, thereby constituting the foundational pillar of the modern Republic of Turkey. Furthermore, attention was drawn to the pedagogical and societal significance of dedicating this day to children, particularly in terms of transmitting the consciousness of national sovereignty to future generations. The concept of national sovereignty was also discussed within the broader context of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and social consciousness, highlighting that the preservation of this principle necessitates both individual and collective responsibility. In addition, the contemporary significance of 23 April was evaluated not only as a historical achievement but also as a multifaceted occasion associated with children’s rights, democratic values, and social cohesion.

The program concluded with a question-and-answer session. Such events are considered to make a substantial contribution to enhancing public awareness and strengthening historical consciousness.