Turkish president marks Youth and Sports Day

SAMSUN, TURKEY - MAY 19: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at a ceremony on the occasion of 100th anniversary of May 19 Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day on May 19, 2019 in the Black Sea province of Samsun. Turkey on Sunday celebrates the centenary of Independence Day, which marks the beginning of Turkey’s War of Independence and the emergence of modern Turkey. Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli, Felicity Party leader Temel Karamollaoglu, Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Mustafa Destici, Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Onder Aksakal, Vatan (Patriotic) Party leader Dogu Perincek and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Ibrahim Celebi attended the ceremony in Samsun. Ataturk defeated enemies on May 19, 1919 ignoring the mandate of the Allies, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on the Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day. "We will do the same now," he added, speaking at an event held in the Black Sea province of Samsun. Turkey has always relied on its people and God in its independence struggle like Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic, did 100 years ago, he said. "Every day we break a trap set for our country either inside or outside of the country and we renew our ambition for a stronger future." May 19 is a milestone in Turkish history as it is the day when Mustafa Kemal, later to become Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, arrived in the city of Samsun from Istanbul to organize the war that saw the remnants of the Ottoman Empire transformed into modern Turkey four years later. Ataturk dedicated May 19 to youth of Turkish nation as Youth and Sports Day, a national holiday that sees young people stage sporting and cultural activities and official ceremonies organized across the nation. (Footage by Mustafa Cavus/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)