Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938) |
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| Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was
the founder of the Turkish republic, and it's first President
(1923-1938). His second name, "Kemal", means "perfection". It is a title given by a former teacher, when he obtained an excellent record in military school. The surname "Ataturk" means "Father of the Turks". It was presented by a national assembly when the surname law was adopted in 1934 for the Turkish people. As a President, there are few leaders who transformed a state in so short a time, or as efficiently as he during his 15 years as president, until he passed away suddenly in 1938. In politics, economy, society, law, and culture, his is an example of complete reform and advancement, like no other administration in the 20th century. Especially the language reform that was started in 1928. This was indispensable to the birth of the modern democratic nation of Turkey. A Latin alphabet was substituted completely for all the Arabic alphabets which were used for 1000 years by the Turkish people. This had an enormous effect, and the people could read Western literature. Literacy which was less than 9% in 1923, exceeded 33% in 1938, and meets more than 80% at present. |
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| Furthermore, religious
and political separation was instituted.
Women's rights were instituted, liberating women in Turkey, which is
98% Muslim. Eighteen women were elected to the national
parliament in
the mid-1930's, and later, the first woman federal Supreme Court judge
in the world was appointed in Turkey. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk fell due to cerebral apoplexy during official work in October of 1938, and then passed away at 09:05 on November 10. Now, as then, he is still loved and respected by the Turkish people. All the clocks of the palace have been stopped at 09:05 to mark his passing. |
