Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day is annually observed in Turkey on May 19.
This day commemorates the day, when Mustafa Atatürk landed at the city of Samsun in 1919, and the day, when the Turkish War of Independence began.
Mustafa Atatürk landed at Samsun on May 19, 1919 as the inspector of the Ninth Army Troops Inspectorate.
He announced the mobilization against foreign intervention, thus officially beginning the Turkish War of Independence.
Later Atatürk declared in one of his speeches, that he regards May 19 as his birthday, that is a clear reference to the beginning of the national struggle. May 19 officially became the Festival of Youth and Sports on June 20, 1938.
The holiday was dedicated to the youth, since young Turks played major role in the national struggle for independence and the future of the nation was in their hands.
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day is observed by the youth parades, sports and cultural events.
