A national holiday throughout the country, Ataturk's Commemoration Day honours Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who was the founder of the Republic of Turkey and the country's first president. Ataturk was a distinguished army officer who made his name in the Battle of Gallipoli during the WW1 which led to the defeat of the Ottoman Empire and the founding of the country. 19 May marks the day in 1919 when Ataturk landed in the Black Sea port of Samsun to start the War of Independence. Events honouring Ataturk take place in Turkey's cultural capital, Istanbul.

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All day.