Who is Ataturk? Why He is so important for Turkey?

It is honor for Turkish people to have a world-famous leader and we deeply respect him. This is the reason he displayed on the Turkish money, on flags and in shops, and offices, you will also see a statue of him in every town.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is the founder of the Republic of Turkey. He was born in 1881 in Salonica (current Greece). After his education in military schools, he joined the Ottoman Army. 

In 1915, when the Dardanelles campaign was launched, Colonel Mustafa Kemal became a national hero by winning successive victories and finally repelling the invaders. 

After the 1^st World War, The Allies (UK, France, Italy, Russia and Greec) occupied Turkey and Ataturk started The War of Independence against them.

In defiance of the Sultan's government, he rallied a liberation army in Anatolia and convened the Congress of Erzurum and Sivas that established the basis for the new national effort under his leadership. On April 23, 1920, the Grand National Assembly was inaugurated. Mustafa Kemal was elected as President.

In 1934, when the surname law was adopted, the national parliament gave him the name"Atatürk" (Father of the Turks).

Following an illness of a few months, he died On November 10, 1938. For this reason, 10th of November of every year is Mustafa Kemal Ataturk day. Flags of him will be in streets, out of the windows and houses. Turkish Schools will also have a minute’s silence.

Facts About Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

·   He formed the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Previously the land within it’s current borders  was part of the Ottoman Empire.

·        He abolished Islamic justice systems and adopted Western law methods.

·        He adopted the Latin alphabet

·        He made it law for women to choose whether or not to wear a headscarf

·        He banned the headscarf from all government and education buildings.

·        The capital was moved from Istanbul to Ankara making it less vulnerable to attack.