Turkey pauses every year to honor the visionary leader who founded the republic
Every November 10th at 9:05 AM, the entire nation of Turkey grinds to a silent halt to honor Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the revolutionary statesman who transformed a fallen empire into a modern republic.
At the exact moment of Atatürk's passing in 1938, sirens wail across Turkey, prompting drivers to stop their cars and pedestrians to stand in silence. This annual tribute reflects the profound impact of a leader who abolished the caliphate, introduced the Latin alphabet, and championed women's rights in a remarkably short span of time.
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