Democracy and National Unity Day is an official commemoration day declared in Türkiye following the failed military coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which targeted the constitutional order and democratic structure. This coup attempt, in which the public participated directly for the first time in the history of the Republic of Türkiye, was thwarted through the coordinated resistance of state institutions and citizens. Following this process, July 15 has been commemorated each year as “Democracy and National Unity Day.” The day aims to honor those who lost their lives during the coup attempt and to reaffirm the collective will to preserve the democratic order.

^{July 15 – Democracy and National Unity Day (AA)}

July 15 Coup Attempt

On the night of July 15, 2016, a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces, identified as part of an internal structure, attempted a coup aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order. During the attempt, public institutions in various cities—particularly in Istanbul and Ankara—were targeted, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye was bombed, and armed attacks were carried out against civilians. In response to these developments, citizens, security forces, and state institutions acted in unison to thwart the attempt. As a result of the events, 251 people lost their lives and 2,734 were injured. Judicial and administrative investigations concluded that the attempt was orchestrated by the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).

^{July 15 – Democracy and National Unity Day (The Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications)}

Declaration and Significance of the Day

With the enactment of Law No. 6752, published in the Official Gazette dated October 29, 2016 (Issue No. 29872), July 15 was officially declared as “Democracy and National Unity Day.” This day is considered not only a commemoration, but also a historical expression of the people's determination to uphold the democratic order. The primary purpose of this remembrance day is to ensure that the events of the coup attempt are not forgotten, to keep alive the memory of those who lost their lives or were injured, and to strengthen the sense of unity and solidarity in society.

^{July 15 – Democracy and National Unity Day (AA)}

Events and Public Participation

Democracy and National Unity Day is commemorated through various events organized by public institutions and non-governmental organizations both within Türkiye and abroad. These events are structured in a multifaceted manner to encourage the participation of diverse segments of society. The day of remembrance not only serves to recall a past event but also functions as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding democratic values.

^{July 15 Message from the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye (TRT Haber)}

As part of these commemorations, various cultural, artistic, athletic, academic, and religious events are organized. Within the scope of communication campaigns carried out under themes such as “Türkiye: The Name of Victory”, activities such as media briefings, photo exhibitions, panels, and talks are held. On the international level, embassies and consulates conduct promotional and commemorative events, sharing content that reflects Türkiye’s stance on democracy.

^{Türkiye: The Name of Victory – July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day” Exhibition (AA)}

As part of the events, certain public buildings are illuminated using special lighting techniques, and symbolic messages are presented to the public through LED projections and video mapping technologies. Additionally, exhibitions and memory spaces set up in open areas in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and other major metropolitan areas are made accessible to the public, featuring documents, visuals, and testimonies related to the night of the coup attempt.

^{Turkish Flags Were Hung on Bridges on the Occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day (The Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications)}

To enhance public participation, physical activities such as marches, runs, and bicycle tours are also organized.

^{Bicycle Tour Held in Istanbul for the Martyrs of July 15 (AA)}

Events such as “National Unity Marches” and “Democracy Watches” provide opportunities for individuals from different age groups and social backgrounds to participate collectively. These types of programs serve to make the themes of unity and solidarity more visible in the public sphere.

^{Galata Tower Illumination (AA)}

As part of religious programs, recitations of the Qur’an (hatim) and memorial services (mawlid) are held in mosques, collective prayers are offered, and commemorative ceremonies are conducted for the martyrs. Additionally, official ceremonies are organized with the participation of state officials at symbolic locations such as the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the Presidential Complex, and other significant sites.

^{Qur’an Recitation Ceremony Held at Fatih Mosque for the Martyrs of July 15 (AA)}

In the cultural sphere, events such as concerts, theater performances, film screenings, and documentary presentations are organized and made accessible to the public in open spaces. Narrative-based films and documentaries are shared as visual records that reveal different aspects of the coup attempt.

Special-themed trains, prepared under the coordination of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, aim to raise intercity awareness. Along the train routes, various visual and informational materials are presented to the public. Additionally, time-limited exhibitions held in airports, train stations, and metro stations serve as informative displays in public spaces.

^{Train for July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day (AA)}

In educational institutions, painting, essay, and poster competitions are organized for students, while seminars, panels, and workshops focusing on themes such as freedom, democracy, and social solidarity are conducted to raise awareness.

At the academic level, reports, books, and analytical texts compiled from documents and visuals held in state archives are published. Panels, symposiums, and forums addressing the historical and sociological dimensions of the coup attempt are organized. These publications are made available not only by public institutions but also by universities, research centers, and media organizations.

^{"15 Temmuz Darbe Girişimi ve Toplumsal Belleğin Hafıza Mekanları" Book (AA)}

Strategic Communication and Narrative Construction

As part of strategic communication projects led by the Directorate of Communications, the historical narrative of July 15 is presented to the public in various formats. Through visual media content, documentary productions, virtual exhibitions, memory books, and publications prepared using archival documents, the social, political, and historical dimensions of the coup attempt are addressed in a comprehensive and multifaceted manner.

Its Place in Social Memory

The coup attempt of July 15, 2016, has secured a significant place in Türkiye’s recent collective memory. Democracy and National Unity Day is commemorated each year through various activities with the aim of preserving this memory, passing it on to future generations, and contributing to the continuity of national identity. In this process, state institutions and non-governmental organizations work in cooperation, and the day of remembrance serves as a platform to foster interaction between institutional structures and collective memory.