Front: Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), founder of modern Turkey

His birth name was Mustafa. He attained a military academy where he was given the surname Kemel (the perfect) due to his excellence in mathematics. In 1934 when he ordered all Turks to adopt a surname, he took the name Atatürk. Ata Türk means "father of the Turks" in Turkish.

He joined the Young Turks, a liberal movement that sought to establish a constitutional government for the Ottoman Empire. In 1908 he took part in the successful Young Turk revolution.

He served in Libya (1911-12) and in the Second Balkan War (1913). In World War I he served on the Armenian front and in Palestine. After the Ottomans capitulated to the Allies, Sultan Muhammad VI sent Kemal to E Anatolia where in 1919, Kemal organized the Turkish Nationalist party and began to form an army.

Kemal set up a rival government at Ankara in opposition to the Constantinople government of the Sultan. On Nov. 1, 1922, Kemal proclaimed the abolition of the sultanate. By the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, the European powers recognized the independence and sovereignty of Turkey.

In 1923 Kemal was elected president of the new Turkish republic. He was reelected in 1927, 1931, and 1935.

Back: Atatürk dam in Sanliurfa

Front: Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), founder of modern Turkey

Back: Anitkabir building complex (mausoleum of Atatürk)

Front: Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), founder of modern Turkey

Back: World map of 1513 by Piri Reis

Front: Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), founder of modern Turkey

Back: Efes ancient city