The day marks the 101st anniversary of the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence after Atatürk traveled from Allied-occupied Istanbul to Samsun on the Black Sea coast on May 19, 1919, to launch Turkey’s War of Liberation against occupying powers.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu held an online meeting with 200 young citizens to mark the occasion. 

Good (İYİ) Party leader Meral Akşener visited Anıtkabir, Atatürk's mausoleum, and met with other visitors to take selfies in front of the monument. 

Residents of western Kocaeli province organized a bike tour to mark the day, where younger cyclists were also among the crowd.