Today in History – 19/20 September

“Thanks to you Sir!”

In order to help maintain public peace during the 6-7 September Events, İnönü penned the article, “A Compelling Test” for the CHP newspaper Ulus, which led to the closing down of the paper by the Martial Law Commandership on September 19, 1955. Along with Ulus, dailies Hürriyet and Tercüman, which had cited the said article, were also closed down for 15 days each.

Şinasi Nahit Berker relates the following anecdote about this incident:

Ulus newspaper had been shut down for the first time. The reason was İsmet İnönü’s article entitled, “A Compelling Test.” Two days later, I was sitting near the door in the big room, browsing through the permitted newspapers with half yearning and half nonchalance.

Suddenly İsmet Pasha walked in. He lashed at me the same instant:

“Why are you lounging around?”

I immediately jumped to my feet, stood at attention and replied in a loud voice, “Thanks to you, Sir!”