Ataturk's Commemoration Day
Ataturk's Commemoration Day is observed annually on May 19 in Turkey, marking the significant event of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's landing at the port of Samsun in 1919. This day is dedicated to honoring Ataturk, who is recognized as the founder of modern Turkey. His arrival in Samsun symbolized the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence, a pivotal conflict against foreign occupation following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. The Ottoman Empire, once a vast and powerful state, was dismantled by the victors of the war, leading to a critical need for leadership and reformation in the region. Ataturk played a crucial role in establishing a secular and independent Turkish state, moving away from the remnants of the Ottoman sultanate. As a result, Ataturk's Commemoration Day serves not only as a remembrance of his contributions but also as a celebration of Turkey's transformation into a modern nation. This observance reflects the cultural and historical significance of Ataturk's legacy in shaping contemporary Turkish identity.
Ataturk's Commemoration Day
Ataturk's Commemoration Day
May 19 of every year is Ataturk Commemoration Day in Turkey. It honors the May 19, 1919, landing of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, at the port of Samsun on the Black Sea, where he began to organize Turkish forces in a war of resistance against foreign armies. As discussed in various articles throughout this book, the ancient Ottoman Empire, headquartered in Turkey, which it ruled along with other possessions in the Middle East, was allied to Germany and Austria-Hungary during World War I. Upon losing that conflict, it was dismembered by the victors. Ataturk managed to separate Turkey from the Ottoman sultanate and preserve its independence, making his country a modern, secular state instead of the capital of a discredited empire.