Born in a three-story house in Thessaloniki (Greece, today) in 1881, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk graduated as a captain from the Military Academy after receiving his education. Even in his childhood and youth, he showed interest in state and national issues and managed to attract the attention of his teachers with his ideas.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk served in various wars and missions on behalf of the Ottoman Empire during his military career, some of which were voluntary. However, the turning point for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Turkish nation occurred when he landed in Samsun on May 19, 1919. With this journey, a struggle against the occupation of the Ottoman Empire, defeated in World War I, started among the people. In other words, the foundations of the “War of Independence” were laid, believing in the idea that "the determination and willpower of the nation would save the nation's future."
During the War of Independence that began with the occupation of Izmir, various battles were fought on different fronts, and finally, with the Great Offensive (on August 29, 1922) the victory of the Turkish nation was declared. While the war continued, on April 23, 1920, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was opened, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was elected as the President of the Assembly and the Government. This step is crucial for the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
By October 29, 1923, the Republic was declared, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was elected as the first president of the newly established state. Meanwhile, presidential elections continued, and Atatürk was elected president in 1927, 1931, and 1935. While laying the foundations of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk adhered to certain principles. He did not deviate from these principles in many reforms he introduced to launch Turkey on the path of civilization to challenge developed Western states.
On the 10th of November in 1938, the great leader passed away due to his severe illness and left behind tens of millions of mourning citizens. He will most certainly keep his place in the heart of the Turkish nation until eternity as the one and only true leader ever.
