Sorrow and Pride in the Headlines of History: Republic Day Press and Archive Exhibition

The Üsküdar University History Club organized a special exhibition to keep national memory alive and enable students to witness historical events through first-hand sources. Held in the open area of the South Campus, the "Republic Day Press and Archive Exhibition" focused in particular on original copies and announcements from press outlets of November 10, 1938 and the period that followed. The exhibition brought together the achievements of the Republic and the reflections of Atatürk's farewell in the press.

At the exhibition, which remained open to visitors for four days, the headlines of the period, sorrowful notices and official announcements to the public were presented in chronological order. Students had the opportunity to examine not only information they had read in history books but also tangible documents reflecting the atmosphere of those days. While emphasizing the methodological importance of history as a scientific discipline, this archival work also took on the task of creating a visual memory.

The stands set up in the natural atmosphere of the South Campus Courtyard became a popular stop for academic staff and students throughout the day. Participants examining the exhibition observed many different details, from the use of language in the early years of the Republic to layout techniques and from freedom of the press to the way national mourning was expressed. This event was of strategic importance for spreading a culture of archiving among university youth.

Visited by an average of 60 people per day and engaging hundreds of students in total, the exhibition served as a silent yet profound tribute on the university campus. History Club members also contributed to peer learning by informing curious visitors about the documents on display. The sense of authenticity conveyed by original period prints, rather than digital copies, was one of the most striking aspects of the event.

With this exhibition, the Üsküdar University History Club once again showed that national holidays and days of remembrance should be supported not only with ceremonies but also with scientific and cultural material. The event was successfully completed, achieving its goals of both upholding the values of the Republic and drawing attention to the discipline of archiving. Club officials stated that archival work on similar themes will continue in the coming terms.