Born in 1881 in Thessaloniki, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk passed away on November 10, 1938, in Istanbul.

A Turkish field marshal, statesman, and writer — the Commander-in-Chief of the Turkish War of Independence, the founder, and the first President of the Republic of Turkey — Atatürk is the architect of modern Turkey.

He established a secular, modern, and industrialized nation; raised his people from subjects to citizens; and, through his progressive reforms, united the nation with secular and nationalist principles.

Great Atatürk, on this day of your passing, the Nation is forever grateful to you.