Today in History – 9 July

“Yes!” to the new constitution

On July 9, 1961, a referendum was held on the Constitution of 1961, which repealed the Constitution of 1924. The Supreme Election Board collaborated with regional and district governors and local administrators to reach all corners of the country. The referendum was also unique, as members of the military, who had not voted in forty years, went to the ballot box for the first time.

Although it was said that the final results would be announced after three days, all newspapers announced on July 10th that the new constitution was adopted.

In his first political speech after the coup of May 27th, CHP President İsmet İnönü had encouraged the nation to say “Yes!” to the new constitution. İnönü addressed the masses gathered at Taksim Square on July 3, 1961 as follows:

Right now, we are here together again to cement the absolute victory of our struggle… Articulating the desire of our entire nation, the İstanbulites have every right to consider the new constitution the work of the nation and to embrace it by saying yes with joy and hope.