Page 19 - Young Wise

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HAPPY COMMEMORATION OF APPY COMMEMORATION OF
H
ATATÜRK, YOUTH AND SPORTS DAY!TATÜRK, YOUTH AND SPORTS DAY!
A

him hope. Later, Atatürk explained this months before his death, Atatürk wanted
moment in his own words: this meaningful day to be entrusted to
“When I arrived in Samsun in May 1919, I young people.
did not have any military resources. What For him, young people were not only the
I had was the moral strength that came future, but also the protectors of the
from the honour of the great Turkish country and its values. He gave the following
nation. With this belief and trust in the message to show his confidence in them at
Turkish people, I began my duty.” the end of his famous speech, Nutuk:
May 19 is one of the most important and “I’d like to direct my last words
meaningful days in Turkish history. It is the specifically to young people of our
day when hope was reborn and a nation country. Turkish youth! You continue our
decided to stand up again. On May 19, 1919, trust and belief. With the discipline
Mustafa Kemal Pasha arrived in Samsun and values you learn, you will show
and took the first step towards the love for your country, respect for
independence of the Turkish nation. This humanity, and freedom of thought.
day became the beginning of a long and You are the new generation. The future
heroic struggle. These words show that the real power belongs to you. We founded the
of May 19 was not weapons, but faith
After the Armistice of Mudros, many parts Republic, and you will keep it alive.”
of the country were occupied. The people and unity. From Samsun, the fire of
were tired, poor, and worried about the independence spread across Anatolia.
future. Many believed that nothing could Meetings were held, decisions were
change. However, Mustafa Kemal Pasha made, and the people began to resist
believed in something very powerful: the together. The people showed patience
strength of the Turkish nation. He knew and courage not only on the battlefield,
that freedom was only possible if the but also behind the lines. Through sacrifice
people of Anatolia came together and and unity, the nation continued this hard
acted as one. journey and finally turned it into a great
victory on August 30, 1922. This victory Following Atatürk’s wish, the Turkish
proved that a nation that believes in itself government declared May 19 to be Youth
can change its destiny. and Sports Day and made it an official
holiday in 1938. In 1981, it was renamed
‘May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk Youth
and Sports Day’.
Every year on May 19, we remember
the courage of Atatürk and the spirit of
independence. We feel proud of our past
Mustafa Kemal Pasha left İstanbul on the and hopeful for our future. The journey
steamer SS Bandırma on May 16, 1919. This
In Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s view, May that began in Samsun still inspires young
journey was not an ordinary trip. It was a
19 was the day when the struggle for hearts today.
brave and risky step. When he arrived in
independence truly began. Therefore, We commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal
Samsun on May 19, the determination of
when people asked about his birthday, he Atatürk and all the heroes of the National
the people, despite many difficulties, gave
always replied ‘May 19, 1919’. About four Struggle with respect, mercy, and gratitude.
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