Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
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The Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, or simply Atatürk Commemoration (Atatürk'ü Anma) or Youth and Sports Day (Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı), is an annual Turkish national holiday celebrated on May 19 to commemorate the start of the Turkish War of Independence. May 19, 1919 is the day Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, then Mustafa Kemal, who would become independent Turkey's first president, landed on the main peninsula of Turkey to begin leadership of the liberation effort. In early 1920, Kemal convened the first Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, and by 1922 all of Anatolia was freed from foreign rule. The independent Republic of Turkey was declared a year later. During the course of his term as president, Atatürk himself proclaimed May 19 as "Youth and Sports Day." In the aftermath of Atatürk, the day serves to honor the country's founder.
Children sing the national anthem, play sports, parade, commemorate Atatürk and are reminded of the values of democracy and Turkey.
Northern Cyprus also commemorates this day, as it shares its culture and many of its holidays with Turkey.
[edit] See also
- Youth Day in other countries
- Public holidays in Turkey
- Public holidays in Northern Cyprus
[edit] External links
- "Turkey celebrates May 19th Youth & Sports Day", World Bulletin Tuesday, 19 May 2009 10:16
