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Monday, 5 January
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Atatürk and Youth Day
Atatürk and Youth Day is the commemoration of the beginning of the national liberation movement initiated in 1919 by Atatürk’s landing in Samsun. The day is dedicated by the Turkish to youth and sports, both of whom figure prominently in the celebration of this public holiday.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was the first president of the Turkish Republic, which he founded in 1923. He was born in 1881 and until 24th November 1934 he was known as Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha. On that date, in accordance with the Law on Family Names, the Turkish National Assembly presented Mustafa Kemal with the surname "Atatürk" (meaning "Father Turk" or "Ancestor Turk").
Atatürk was a Turkish army officer and revolutionary statesman. He established himself as a successful military commander while serving as a divisional commander in the Battle of Gallipoli and later, in both the Caucasus and Sinai/Palestine, during World War I.
Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire at the hand of the Allied powers, and subsequent plans for its partition, Atatürk led the Turkish National movement in what would become the Turkish War of Independence. His successful military campaigns led to the liberation of the country and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
As the Republic's first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk introduced a range of far reaching reforms which sought to create a modern, democratic and secular state.
Atatürk died on 10th November 1938.
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