ATATURK'S SPEECH ON THE REASON OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC
Turkish Nation!
We are in the 15th year of the start of the War of Independence. Today is the day of celebration of the tenth anniversary of our republic.
Happy birthday!
At this moment, as a member of the great Turkish nation, I am in the deepest joy and excitement of meeting this blessed day.
My fellow citizens!
We made great and lots of things in such a short time. The greatest of these works is the Republic of Turkey, whose foundation is Turkish heroism and high Turkish culture. We owe this success to the resolute march of the Turkish nation and its valuable army as one. But what we will never do is enough. Because we are obliged and determined to do more and greater things. We will raise our country to the level of the most prosperous and most civilized countries in the world. We will provide our nation with the widest wealth, means and resources. We will raise our national culture above the contemporary level of civilization. For this reason, we think that the measure of time should be considered according to the concept of speed and movement of our century, not according to the relaxing mentality of past centuries. Relative to the last time, we will try more. We will accomplish greater things in less time. I have no doubt that we will be successfull in this, too .. Because the character of the Turkish nation is high. Turkish nation is hardworking. Turkish nation is intelligent. Because the Turkish nation has known how to overcome difficulties with national unity and solidarity. And because the torch that the Turkish nation holds in its hands and in its mind on the path of progress and civilization is positive science.
I must also emphasize that one of the historical characteristics of the Turkish nation, which is a high human society, is to love fine arts and excel in them. For this reason, it is our national ideal to constantly nurture and develop our nation's high character, tireless diligence, natural intelligence, devotion to science, love for fine arts, and sense of national unity with all kinds of means and measures. This ideal, which suits the Turkish nation very well, will make it successful in fulfilling its civilized duty towards ensuring true peace for all humanity.
Great Turkish Nation, You have heard many of my words promising success in the work we have undertaken for fifteen years. I am fortunate that I have not suffered any inaccuracy in any of these words that would shake my nation's trust in me. Today, I say with the same faith and certainty that, in a short time, the entire civilized world will once again recognize that the Turkish nation, which is advancing towards the national ideal with full integrity, is a great nation. I have no doubt that, with its further development, the forgotten great civilized qualities and great civilized abilities of the Turks will rise like a new sun on the high civilization horizon of the horse.
I sincerely hope that you will celebrate this great national holiday with greater honor, happiness, peace and prosperity in every ten years that flow into eternity.
How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!
Ankara, 29 October 1933