Türkiye marks 111th anniversary of Çanakkale Victory

ÇANAKKALE

Türkiye on March 18 marked the 111th anniversary of the Çanakkale Victory and Martyrs’ Day with ceremonies on the historic Gallipoli Peninsula.

March 18 commemorates the 1915 naval battle in which Ottoman forces repelled an Allied fleet attempting to force passage through the Dardanelles Strait during World War I. The failed campaign later led to the Gallipoli land campaign, one of the war’s most significant and costly fronts.

Preparations for the ceremony had been completed in the days leading up to the event at the Martyrs’ Memorial and surrounding areas.

Landscaping at the memorial site has been arranged in symbolic colors, with around 80,000 red and white tulips planted to represent the Turkish flag, alongside thousands of peonies and hyacinths.

In a message marking the anniversary, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the heroism displayed at Çanakkale remained one of the strongest symbols of national unity, solidarity and shared destiny. He also paid tribute to modern Türkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, fallen soldiers and veterans, saying the spirit of Çanakkale continued to inspire the country.

As part of the commemorations, Turkish naval vessels have also been opened to public visits.

Warships including TCG Heybeliada, TCG Kınalıada and TCG Ayvalık have drawn strong interest from visitors, who are transported to the vessels by ferry or military boats and guided through onboard tours.

Visitors said the experience was both educational and emotional, particularly for children, offering a tangible connection to Türkiye’s military history.