Today in History – 3/4 October

The Civil Code is enacted

Based on the Civil Code of Switzerland, the Civil Code of Turkey was passed by the Grand National Assembly on February 17, 1926 and went into effect on October 4, 1926. Remaining in effect until January 1, 2002, the code introduced the following innovations:

• Gender equality in family life.
• Civil marriage obligation.
• Monogamy in marriage.
• Freedom to choose any profession for women.
• Gender equality for women in witnessing in a court of law, inheritance, and divorce.
• Restriction of the right of Patriarchates to religious affairs only.