İzmir Independence Day is observed in Turkey on September 9 every year, commemorating the liberation of Smyrna (now İzmir) from Greek occupation in 1922 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This day marks the end of a three-year occupation that began when Greek forces landed in Smyrna on May 15, 1919, following the partition of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. The liberation is celebrated primarily in İzmir, where festivities include marches, concerts, air shows, open-air parties, and firework displays. Although it is an important date in Turkey's calendar, it is not recognized as a public holiday. The events reflect the city's historical significance and the cultural pride associated with its liberation.