Atatürk Remembrance

Atatürk Remembrance (Youth and Sports Day)

May 19
On May 19, 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk landed with his forces at the Black Sea town of Samsun, Turkey, to begin his fight against the Allies who had occupied the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I. Four years later, Atatürk had successfully overcome the last of the Allied forces and Turkey was declared a free republic. He ushered in an era of reform, development, and an increasingly Western approach to government and society. Because Turkish youth have always engaged in sporting events to celebrate the day, it has also become known as Youth and Sports Day as well.
In the capital city of Ankara, the celebration of the day begins with a 21-gun salute at 7:00 in the morning, the time when Atatürk arrived in Samsun. Then the president and other government officials visit the Atatürk Mausoleum before moving on to the 19 Mayis (May 19th) Stadium. Members of the Turkish Air Forces Youth Team have performed parachuting exhibitions in several cities across Turkey.
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
2525 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-612-6700; fax: 202-612-6744