Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is a figure you will encounter everywhere in Turkey. His image appears on currency, in public buildings, shops and offices, and a statue of him stands in nearly every town. Recently I noticed a large portrait of him displayed beside the Turkish flag, which reminded me to explain who he is. Most visitors may not hear locals mention him often in casual conversation, but he is the founder of modern Turkey.
Facts About Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
- He founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Before that, the territory within modern Turkey’s borders was part of the Ottoman Empire.
- He is commonly honored with the title “Father of the Turks.”
- He replaced the previous religious-based justice system with a secular, Western-style legal system.
- He reformed the Turkish language by adopting a Latin-based alphabet, and a national campaign helped the population learn it within a few years.
- He enacted laws that expanded women’s rights, including freedom of dress; practices that had been compulsory in some regions were no longer enforced.
- Under his leadership, Turkey became a secular, democratic republic—one of the few predominantly Muslim countries organized as a secular democracy.
- He moved the capital from Istanbul to Ankara to place the seat of government in a more central and defensible location.
- Every year on November 10th Turks observe a day of remembrance for Atatürk; you will see his portrait displayed in streets and windows, and schools hold a minute of silence.
As these facts show, Atatürk is central to both Turkey’s history and its present-day identity. While you might not overhear frequent discussions about him in everyday conversation, Turks generally speak of him with great respect. Many credit his reforms with transforming Turkey into a modern, outward-looking nation that welcomes visitors from around the world.
Quote by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
The most famous words attributed to Atatürk were spoken after the Battle of Gallipoli, a fierce and costly campaign in which many Turkish and Allied soldiers lost their lives.
“Heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives!
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore, rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies and Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.”
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