KASHYYYK -- On Day 98, festivities began with a bang across the New Republic, as fireworks and concerts marked Restoration Day, the Republic's national holiday. This Restoration Day celebrates the tenth anniversary of the ratification of the New Republic Constitution, and thus the tenth anniversary of the New Republic itself. Citizens, allies and guests flocked to attend New Republic gatherings. In addition to the day's events, the week and months to come will feature more anniversary-themed events.
Celebrations were held on every Republic planet and most cities, including one built specially to mark the occasion. The Tenth Anniversary City was commissioned and organized by Minister of State Tengri Lethas, whose department includes the Culture Office. Citizens who were unable to attend official events organized their own block parties and were provided with live holofeeds of the proceedings and electronic raffle tickets to participate in the contests and games.
Chief of State Orion Chran led one official gathering at the capitol on Republica. Chief of State Chran's speech beginning the day was broadcast live and harkened back to the early days of the Republic, but sounded an optimistic tone for the future. "We stepped into a new era where our citizens have the opportunity to not only voice their opinion more freely but serve the Republic to better advance the goals of freedom and democracy in the galaxy," he said. Chran acknowledged the occasional difficulties and defeats, but noted that these bound us together throughout the Republic and across the galaxy. "We have endured, lost friends, and also had many great achievements over the years. While we will may face more struggles in future, we will do what we do best, becoming more unified in the face of tyranny, to help set the galaxy free."
New Republic officials traveled throughout the Republic to lead events across the galaxy. Minister Lethas visited the Sandwalker High School on Tholatin V and attended a youth performance of “This Day of Days,” a dramatization of the founding of the New Republic. High Admiral Helix Falks traveled to the New Republic Academy station orbiting Rodia to serve meals to cadets and training officers while sharing highlights from his career in New Republic service. Executive Ambassador Natalis Oro visited production facilities around Messert to emphasize the importance of our manufacturing sector to our allies and the war effort.
After the gatherings, continuing events are planned throughout the 10th Anniversary year, including contests and games. The New Republic Culture Office has organized a collection of toasts to the New Republic, to which citizens and guests can contribute, and will be released as a commemorative book. The New Republic Morale Department, unofficially known as the Ambassadors of Rollicking and Good Humor, ARGH, launched a number of raffles, a caption contest, meme competition, and more. Officials from the Culture Office and ARGH confirmed that these were the largest set of competitions, prizes, and games in the history of the New Republic. This year's annual Good Will Ball, one of the largest social and diplomatic gatherings in the galaxy, will feature events and a theme honoring the New Republic, and is scheduled for D154.
Restoration Day celebrates the ratification of the New Republic Constitution, which is unique among governments in the galaxy because it prescribes a democratic form of government with checks and balances on its power and that of its leaders. New Republic citizens elect a Chief of State to lead the government and a Senate to write legislation and guide policy. The Constitution guarantees the sentient rights of all, including the right to free speech. As a result, the New Republic permits vigorous internal dissent and debate of opposing viewpoints.
The holiday was named Restoration Day as an aspiration to continue the Galactic Republic overthrown by the Empire. Notably, the creation of the New Republic was itself an historical act of democracy. The New Republic was created by a merger between the Rebel Alliance and SoroSuub Corporation, which was ratified by a vote among all the citizens of both groups. Although integration took time, the economic might of SoroSuub combined with the military experience and efficiency of the Rebel Alliance to create a powerful but just government, tempered by the Constitution.
Over the last ten years, the New Republic has won many important military victories in its mission to restore sentient rights and freedom to the galaxy. After the the massacre on Kashyyyk that became known as "Black Forest Day," the New Republic launched its largest operations to date, defeating the Empire and a puppet regime at the Battle of Kashyyyk, liberating the planet and system. Along with Kashyyyk, the series of missions known in the Republic as Operations Forging Freedom and Stratacator liberated other notable planets including Trandosha, Thyferra, and Tierfon.
More recently, while continuing the fight against the Empire and liberating worlds such as Sacorria, the New Republic has also campaigned against criminal organizations and those masquerading as legitimate governments. During a mission known as "Operation Argo," the New Republic liberated Gazzari II from the Black Sun criminal group. The New Republic has also captured or assisted allies in the capture of criminals from Tsis Tsarvka and the Zann Consortium.
In addition to its contributions to democracy, supporting sentient rights and opposing the Imperial Union's tyranny, the New Republic is notable for its contributions to culture. Today, D100, is the fourth anniversary of the inauguration of the Galactic Museum, an appropriate name, as it holds the single largest collection of various classes of ships and vehicles in the galaxy. To commemorate the event, the Galactic Museum will be giving away limited edition custom miniature gilded replicas of the museum from D110 to D125 or until supplies run out. Created and operated by the New Republic, the Galactic Museum is free to visit, includes a guided tour, and remains open to all, regardless of citizenship. The Museum is a large space station located in the Rodia system.
