Türkiye Marks Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
Türkiye is commemorating one of the most significant dates in its modern history today – May 19, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
On this day in 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, serving as the Inspector of the 9th Army, arrived in the northern city of Samsun to initiate resistance against foreign occupation. The move laid the foundations for Türkiye’s War of Independence and is regarded as a turning point in the nation’s history.
Recognizing the vital role of young people in the independence struggle, May 19 was officially declared Youth and Sports Day by law in 1938. The day was first celebrated in 1935 as “Atatürk Day,” accompanied by sporting events. Later, a national sports congress proposed combining the two occasions, and since 1980, the holiday has been formally known as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.
Today, across the country, citizens pay tribute to Atatürk’s legacy, reaffirming the values of independence, unity, and youth empowerment that define the Turkish Republic.
