Youth and Sports Day

  • Published
  • By Mehmet Birbiri
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Turkey celebrates Ataturk's Memorial, Youth and Sports Day May 19.

This day marks the 90th anniversary of the beginning of Turkey's War of Independence.

Mustafa Kemal founded the Republic of Turkey on the ashes of a collapsed empire, and started civil reforms to westernize and modernize the newly founded republic.

One of the civil reforms he initiated was the adoption of last names. The Grand National Assembly gave him the name Ataturk, which means father of Turks.

It's believed when Ataturk was asked his birthday for a new identification card, he responded with a very specific date.

"You can write May 19 as my birthday," Ataturk said.

Ataturk chose that date because it was the birthday of the Republic of Turkey.

The Ottoman Empire was on the losing side during World War I. In accordance with the treaty signed at the end of the war, the Turks were disarmed and the land of the Ottoman Empire was divided and occupied by the victorious forces. The strategic straights, Bosphorus in Istanbul and Dardanelles in Canakkale, connecting the Black Sea to Mediterranean, were occupied by England. Russia occupied eastern Turkey, Italy the Antalya region, France the southern and southeastern portions of Turkey, including Adana, and Greece the Aegean region including Izmir.

Ataturk then decided to go to Anatolia to ignite the War of Independence.

Ataturk, along with 18 friends boarded the ship "Bandirma" in Istanbul and secretly set sail toward Samsun. Ataturk arrived in Samsun May 19, 1919, and began the fight for independence.

After winning the War of Independence and establishing the Turkish Republic, Ataturk, who had a great belief in youth, dedicated the day to the Republic's youth. His great belief in the country's youth drove him to the decision.

In his address to them he said:

"Turkish youth... your first duty is to preserve and defend Turkish independence and the Turkish Republic forever.

"This is the only foundation for your existence and your future. The principle is your most valuable source of strength."

In memory of Ataturk's declaration, young athletes carry soil and a Turkish flag from Samsun to the border of the province toward Ankara every May 19. Each athlete carries the soil to the next province's border. The soil and flag arrive in Ankara in time to be forwarded to the president during the ceremonies held there.

Adana hosts ceremonies which include music, gymnastic shows and colorful parades at Adana Stadium starting at 9 a.m. The Ankara and Istanbul ceremonies are broadcast live on Turkish TV and Radio.