 Mustafa
Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic and its first
President, stands as a towering figure of the 20th Century. Among the
great leaders of history, few have achieved so much in so short period,
transformed the life of a nation as decisively, and given such profound
inspiration to the world at large.
Emerging as a military
hero at the Dardanelles in 1915, he became the charismatic leader of the
Turkish national liberation struggle in 1919. He blazed across the world
scene in the early 1920s as a triumphant commander who crushed the
invaders of his country. Following a series of impressive victories
against all odds, he led his nation to full independence. He put an end
to the antiquated Ottoman dynasty whose tale had lasted more than six
centuries - and created the Republic of Turkey in 1923, establishing a
new government truly representative of the nation's will.
As President for 15
years, until his death in 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk introduced a broad
range of swift and sweeping reforms - in the political, social, legal,
economic, and cultural spheres - virtually unparalleled in any other
country.
His achievements in Turkey are an enduring monument to Atatürk. Emerging
nations admire him as a pioneer of national liberation. The world honors
his memory as a foremost peacemaker who upheld the principles of
humanism and the vision of a united humanity. Tributes have been offered
to him through the decades by such world statesmen as Lloyd George,
Churchill, Roosevelt, Nehru, de Gaulle, Adenauer, Bourguiba, Nasser,
Kennedy, and countless others. A White House statement, issued on the
occasion of "The Atatürk Centennial" in 1981, pays homage to
him as "a great leader in times of war and peace". It is
fitting that there should be high praise for Atatürk, an extraordinary
leader of modern times, who said in 1933: "I look to the world with
an open heart full of pure feelings and friendship".
for more information
http://www.ataturk.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Kemal_Atat%C3%BCrk
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