The Day That Inspired the Future: Our Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and May 19

May 19, 1919, has a special place in our history that contains many heroic epics. It is a historical day when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk set foot in Samsun on the Bandırma Ferry and planted the seeds that changed the fate of a helpless nation under occupation. This historical day, which is accepted as the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence against the occupation of the Allied Powers, became a turning point in the fate of the country with the declaration of the Republic. Beyond being a victory in the past, May 19 also has a special meaning as a source of inspiration for the youth and the future.

May 19, which symbolizes the leadership of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his belief in the youth, is celebrated as an official holiday every year in both the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This meaningful day was first celebrated in Samsun in 1926 under the name of Gazi Day. Starting from 1938, with Atatürk’s dedication of this special day to the youth, it began to be celebrated for many years under the name of Youth and Sports Day. With a change in 1981, which was declared the Atatürk Year, it began to be celebrated as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day and continues to be celebrated under this name today. Let’s take a look at Atatürk’s journey from İstanbul to Samsun between the dates May 16 and 19 and the developments that followed in order to better understand the importance of May 19.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s Arrival in Samsun

As a result of the Ottoman Empire’s defeat in World War I and the occupation of the homeland by the Allied Powers, conditions were becoming much more difficult every single day and solutions were being sought for salvation. During this period, Samsun was of great strategic importance and was seen as a safe and comfortable gateway from the Black Sea to Central Anatolia.

On March 9, 1919, due to the British military unit landing in Samsun and the British High Commissioner complaining that the Turkish people were arming, it was decided to send a reliable commander to the region with extraordinary powers. This commander was Mustafa Kemal Pasha. On April 30, 1919, the Government Decree regarding the appointment of Mustafa Kemal Pasha as the Inspector of the 9th Army by Sultan Vahdeddin was approved. On May 5, 1919, the order appointing Mustafa Kemal Pasha to Samsun was published in the Takvîm-i Vekâyi. Following these developments, Mustafa Kemal Pasha and his staff set off from İstanbul to Samsun on the Bandırma Ferry on May 16, 1919.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who arrived in Samsun with 18 people in his headquarters on May 19, 1919, had the opportunity to save the state. When they arrived in Samsun, they were greeted by a detachment whose weapons had been seized by the occupying forces and the people. Thus, May 19, 1919, went down in history as the first day of the War of Independence, also known as the National Struggle, which was a difficult struggle and ended with the declaration of the Republic in 1923. This important day, which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also accepted as the date of birth, is also the symbol of the rebirth of a nation. The Turkish nation united with determination and resolve in this struggle under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk emphasized his trust in the youth with the words, “The rising new generation, the future is yours. We founded the Republic, you are the ones to elevate it and keep it alive.” and dedicated this special day to them.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s Importance of the Youth and Sports

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk knew that the role of the young generation was of vital importance in the progress of a country. He saw the youth as the future of the country, the cornerstone of the Republic of Turkey and the protector of the Republic, which he referred it as “my greatest work.” He drew attention to the fact that the future would take shape in the hands of the youth by saying, “We will leave everything to the youth. They are the hope and bright flowers of the future. All my hope is in the youth.” He showed his belief in and value for them.

With the May 19 Youth and Sports Day, he presented to the youth, he expressed that sports, in addition to their contributions to physical, mental and moral development, also played an important role in raising young people in accordance with national values. He expressed this idea with the words, “All kinds of sports activities should be considered as the main elements of the national education of the Turkish youth.”

As Exciting as the First Day: May 19 Celebrations

May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day continues to be celebrated every year with enthusiastic ceremonies and sports shows like the first day. This special day reminds us not to give up in the face of difficulties, to act in unity and solidarity and to look to the future with hope.

In order to carry the Republic of Turkey further, it is of great importance to understand Atatürk and to take his ideals, his vision of modernization and his love of country as a guide. Atatürk once said, “Seeing me does not mean seeing my face. If you understand and feel my ideas and my feelings, that is enough.” Therefore, efforts should be made to understand, adopt and keep alive his thought system, not just remembering him physically.

A Meaningful Visit on a Meaningful Day: Pera Palace Hotel, Atatürk Museum Room

If you would like to make May 19 more meaningful, you can visit the Atatürk Museum Room at Pera Palace Hotel on this special day. Room 101, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk accommodated during his stay at Pera Palace Hotel, is also the room where he made important decisions during critical periods of the country. This room, where Atatürk hosted many of his guests, was turned into a museum room on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The room also exhibits the Great Leader’s personal belongings, books, gifts that were sent to him, newspapers and magazines of the period. You can travel back in time and feel the traces of Atatürk’s life at the Atatürk Museum Room, which is open to visitors every day between 10.00 to 11.00 and 15.00 to 16.00.