Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: Remembering the founder of the Turkish Republic 86 years after his death

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, passed away 86 years ago on November 10, 1938, at 9:05 AM at the Dolmabahçe Palace. Atatürk, who died at the age of 57, was placed on a special catafalque in a room at Dolmabahçe Palace. His coffin, draped in the Turkish flag and guarded by his comrades-in-arms, was open for public mourning for three days. On November 20, his body was transferred to Ankara, and on November 21, he was ceremoniously laid to rest in a temporary grave at the Ethnography Museum. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, is remembered not only as a successful commander who led the Turkish War of Independence, but also as a brilliant statesman who enacted far-reaching reforms. On November 10, 1953, his remains were moved from the Ethnography Museum to the newly built Anıtkabir in a state ceremony. Throughout his 57 years, Atatürk dedicated himself tirelessly to the independence and prosperity of his nation, emerging victorious in every battle he fought. Born in 1881, Mustafa Kemal graduated from the Military Academy in 1905 as a staff captain. In 1905, Atatürk was stationed with the 5th Army in Damascus and later in 1907, with the 3rd Army in Macedonia. During his time in Monastir and Thessaloniki, he participated in the suppression of the 31 March Incident in Istanbul in 1909 as part of the Action Army. Atatürk also took part in the operations to quell the Albanian uprising, and when Italy sent forces to Tripolitania in 1911, he was sent to Tobruk. After successfully commanding Turkish forces in Tobruk and Derna, Atatürk participated in the Balkan Wars as a lieutenant colonel, fighting in the corps that reclaimed Edirne from Bulgaria in 1912-1913. From 1913 to 1915, Atatürk served as military attaché in Sofia. During World War I, in 1915, he commanded the 19th Division during the Gallipoli Campaign, successfully halting enemy advances and gaining fame as the 'Hero of Anafartalar.' In 1916, he was appointed Commander of the Corps on the Eastern Front and was promoted to General. Atatürk stopped Russian attacks and recaptured Bingöl and Muş from enemy forces. In 1917, he was appointed Commander of the 7th Army in Palestine and Syria and visited Germany with Crown Prince Vahdettin the same year. In Germany, he conducted studies at the German General Staff and on the fronts of the German Army. In 1918, after the signing of the Armistice of Mudros following the end of World War I, Atatürk returned to Istanbul from his post in Syria. Secretly, he began preparing for the liberation of the country, taking up the post of Inspector of Armies. The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) began its historic session in Ankara on April 23, 1920, thanks to Atatürk's efforts, and he was elected as its President and the Head of Government. Atatürk declared to the world that the Turkish nation rejected the Treaty of Sèvres signed between the Ottoman government and the Allied Powers. In 1921, the Greek forces, who had invaded İzmir with the support of the Allied Powers, were halted by Turkish forces in the First and Second Battles of İnönü. The Greek army, which attacked again in August 1921, was decisively defeated in the Battle of Sakarya, where the Turkish army, led by Atatürk, emerged victorious after 22 days of intense fighting. On August 26, 1922, the Turkish Army launched a counter-offensive to liberate the homeland from foreign occupation. This victory led to Atatürk being awarded the rank of Marshal and the title 'Gazi' (Veteran) by the Grand National Assembly. On August 30, 1922, in the Battle of Dumlupınar, the Turkish forces, commanded by Atatürk, decisively destroyed the majority of the Greek army. The Turkish army pursued the retreating enemy forces and entered İzmir on September 9, 1922. On October 11, 1922, the Armistice of Mudanya was signed, and the Allied forces withdrew from the Turkish territories they had occupied. After the War of Independence, on October 29, 1923, the Republic of Türkiye was declared, and Atatürk was elected its first President. He was re-elected four times and served as the longest-serving president until his death in 1938. On November 24, 1934, Atatürk was granted the surname 'Atatürk' by law, and its use was prohibited for others.