68 Years

Today marks an important day in world history, as 68 years ago today, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk died in Turkiye. You may ask "Why are Nathan and Kristen writing something about this guy on their blog?" The answer is simple: Ataturk is the kind of leader that our world needs today. Ataturk arguably did more for the nation of Turkiye than any one national leader has done for their respective country. He is the father of modern Turkiye and as beloved by Turks today as he was during his lifetime. 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.

Ataturk introduced the Turkish Republic (Turkiye Cumhuriyeti) in 1923, putting an end to the Ottoman Empire. 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".

As you know, Turkiye is very special to us and may very well be our home at some point in the future. I certainly don't profess to be any sort of expert on Ataturk, but the more I learn, the more I am impressed and astounded by this great world leader. Because of Ataturk, Turkiye is a thriving, modern nation, and would not be considered for a spot in the European Union without him.

The world could use more leaders like Ataturk today.