About Turkey Youth & Sports Day (19 Mayıs)
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day — Atatürk'ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı — is a Turkish national holiday on May 19. It marks May 19, 1919, the day Mustafa Kemal Atatürk landed at the Black Sea port of Samsun, the moment traditionally regarded as the start of the Turkish War of Independence. Atatürk symbolically gifted the day to the youth of Turkey, and he chose May 19 as his own celebrated birthday.
The holiday is celebrated with a focus on young people and sport. Stadiums across the country host gymnastics displays, athletic performances, folk dances and choreographed shows by students, while wreaths are laid at Atatürk monuments. The day is a fixture of the school calendar, and its mix of patriotic ceremony and physical display reflects Atatürk's belief in the energy and promise of the next generation.
Youth and Sports Day always falls on the fixed date of May 19, so it can land on any day of the week. The countdown above shows the days, hours and minutes until May 19 in your own timezone. Bookmark it or add it to your own countdown page to track the approach of the anniversary.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Wednesday, May 19, 2027next |
| 2028 | Friday, May 19, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, May 19, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, May 19, 2030 |
| 2031 | Monday, May 19, 2031 |
FAQ
When is Turkey Youth and Sports Day?
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day is celebrated every year on May 19 across Turkey.
Why is May 19 significant in Turkey?
It marks Atatürk's landing at Samsun on May 19, 1919, regarded as the start of the Turkish War of Independence.
How is Youth and Sports Day celebrated?
With stadium gymnastics displays, athletic and folk-dance performances by students, and wreath-laying at Atatürk monuments.
Why did Atatürk choose May 19?
He dedicated the date to Turkey's youth and adopted May 19 as his symbolic birthday, linking the day to the nation's future.