In Ankara, thousands gathered at Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s mausoleum, for the official state ceremony. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, military commanders, and top government officials laid wreaths at the tomb while the national anthem played. According to reports, the Turkish flag was lowered to half-staff during the proceedings. Following the official ceremony, families, students, and visitors from across the country streamed into the memorial, carrying flags, carnations, and photographs of Atatürk.
The heart of the commemorations in Istanbul was Dolmabahçe Palace, where Atatürk spent his final days. As early as dawn, thousands formed long lines stretching along the Bosphorus to enter the palace. Inside the bedroom where he died, officials placed a presidential wreath before the bed, which is draped with a Turkish flag. When the sirens sounded at 9:05 a.m., visitors bowed their heads in silence. Many attendees were visibly moved, with some wiping away tears as the national anthem echoed through the halls.
Commemorative events extended beyond the major cities to include diplomatic missions abroad and remote provinces. From Kırklareli in the northwest to Iğdır in the east, governors, mayors, soldiers, and students observed the moment of silence in front of Atatürk monuments, followed by the playing of the national anthem. In coastal areas, ferry passengers stood in silence as ship sirens joined the nationwide tribute. In Cappadocia, hundreds of hot air balloons were decorated with Turkish flags and portraits of Atatürk, while in Erzurum, members of local hiking clubs completed a 16-kilometer memorial walk, unfolding a giant Turkish flag at the summit to observe the silence.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born in 1881 in Thessaloniki, then part of the Ottoman Empire. He rose to prominence during World War I for commanding troops at the Battle of Gallipoli. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, he led a national movement against foreign occupation and the partition of Turkish lands, culminating in the proclamation of the Republic on October 29, 1923. He served as the first president until his death in 1938 at the age of 57. The day is observed as a period of national remembrance rather than celebration, with a special themed week of educational and cultural events beginning immediately after the anniversary.
The next expected event is the continuation of the Atatürk Remembrance Week, during which additional educational and cultural programs dedicated to his life and work will be held across the country.
