Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day

Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day is a national holiday in Turkey celebrated on the date that Atatürk landed in Samsun in 1919 and started the Turkish national movement, which led to the start of the Turkish War of Independence. While the actual date of Atatürk’s birth is unknown, he announced in one of his speeches that he considers it to be May 19. The holiday is celebrated with parades and demonstrations such as folk dances and poetry recitals, which are shared over loudspeakers countrywide, so be prepared to hear the chanting of the famous Gençlik Marşı, an anthem associated with this day.