The Day of Commemoration and National Mourning is observed in Turkmenistan every October 6, commemorating the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake that nearly destroyed the city. This earthquake, which struck late at night with a magnitude of 7.3, resulted in the collapse of almost all brick buildings in Ashgabat and surrounding villages, causing casualties estimated between 10,000 and 110,000. The day is marked by a national ceremony in Ashgabat, attended by the President and local authorities, where the national flag is flown at half-mast and public traffic is halted. Additionally, the day honors the memory of those killed in the 1881 attack on the Geok Tepe fortress. The observance serves as a solemn reminder of the tragedy and its impact on the nation.