The Importance of May 19 the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in its 104th Anniversary
Celebrating the 104th anniversary of the May 19 the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, which is considered one of the most important milestones for the independence of the Turkish nation, where the foundations of the new Turkish state were laid, and we commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our heroes of the national battle with respect, gratitude, and mercy.
Each year, The Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, which was gifted to the Turkish youth by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is getting celebrated with great enthusiasm. You can read all about how The Turkish War of Independence, which started in Samsun, one of the important locations for the history of our country, carried a nation to salvation, how our country took solid steps towards its new life and the story of the arduous road that was committed with a glorious battle, in the continuation of the article.
An Overview of The Turkish War of Independence
The Turkish War of Independence, where the Turkish nation’s liberation from the enemy occupation began with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s departure from Istanbul on Friday, May 16, 1919, when he set foot in Samsun on May 19, 1919. Atatürk, who started the journey from Galata Pier and completed it in Samsun, personally saw how it was distributed towards the occupation forces when he set foot in the city. The city was completely under the captivity of the British invaders.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk continued his journey as a soldier on the Bandırma Ferry, reaching Samsun as a civilian. The reason why the Great Leader started The Turkish War of Independence in Samsun with his soldiers was that the city was of great strategic importance for the invading forces. Because it was quite easy for the invaders from the Black Sea to spread to Central Anatolia via Samsun and expand their sphere of influence. As a matter of fact, Atatürk, who did not want to give the enemy any more passage, showed his military genius once again and started to battle in this city.
The Place of May 19 in Nutuk
The history and importance of May 19 find their place in the first lines of Atatürk’s work called “Nutuk”. Mustafa Kemal, in his sentences, includes how The Turkish War of Independence began. In the work, he first describes the general situation of the city. He tells the extent of the siege and the possible consequences that await the fate of the country, one by one.
Although the conditions did seem hopeless at that time, Atatürk didn’t lose his faith and chased a victory that would not challenge the enemy forces. With the unity of the people, he led the country to liberation thanks to the battle movement he started in Samsun. The Turkish people, who fought head-to-head with the enemy, have been celebrating this day of liberation with great enthusiasm for many years.
Victory of Independence Is Gifted to Youth
The Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk presents the victory of the battle that started on May 19 to the youth of the country. He even characterizes the trust and belief he has in Turkish youth with the words “Young people! Young people who undertake to realize my future ambitions! I am very pleased and happy that one day I will leave this country to a youth who understands me like you”. By entrusting a historic victory to the youth of his country, he glorifies and honors them.
Celebrated for the first time in Samsun in 1926 with the name “Gazi Day”, the holiday became official on May 24, 1935, with the name “Atatürk Day”. In 1981 with an arrangement made by Kenan Evren, it took its final form with the name “Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day”. Each year, the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day is celebrated in schools, streets, and squares, to sum it up, every inch of the country.
A Meaningful Visit on May 19: Atatürk Museum Room
If you would like to commemorate this glorious battle on May 19, you can visit the Atatürk Museum Room at Pera Palace Hotel. During the days he stayed in room 101 of the Pera Palace Hotel Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, which has a deep-rooted history, he was making important decisions for the future of this country, conducting studies, and hosting his visitors here again. In the room, which was turned into a museum room on the 100th anniversary of his birth, the books of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, some of his personal belongings, magazines and newspapers from that period and the hyperrealist silicone sculpture made by sculptor Görkem Candan with years of manual labor are exhibited.
Room 101, which bears the traces of the experiences of a period, continues to receive its visitors on the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. If you want to travel back in time by visiting the Atatürk Museum Room and taking a closer look at Atatürk’s memories, you can visit Pera Palace Hotel any day of the week between 10.00-11.00 and 15.00-16.00. You can contact the hotel for more information.
These articles may also be of interest to you:
The Most Important Books Written About Republic, The First Step of Modern Turkey
9 Places Where You Can See the Personal Belongings of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
