(Mustafa) Kemal Ataturk
Dear Rachel H.,
Kemal Ataturk became a military hero of the Dardanelles in 1915. In 1920 he was known as a triumphant commander who terminated the invaders of his country. After many dazzling victories, against the odds he led us into full independence. He ended the Ottoman dynasty. Then in 1923 Ataturk created the Republic of Turkey establishing a new government representative of the nation’s will. Kemal has been our president for awhile now and I would be fine with it staying that way. I’ve heard that your country is working on something very advanced called the computer that is supposed to be coming somewhere around 1936. It tells facts about anything you want to research and I’ve already heard of 2 great “sites” (that’s what the pages of info. are going to be called). One is http://www.ataturk.com/. the other great one tells all about Turkey, Istanbul, Kemal Ataturk and much more, its going to be called http://www.allaboutturkey.com/ Then go to the history button on the side. Somebody also told me a way to get additional info on Kemal besides from a textbook is to go to http://www.turkishnews.com/DiscoverTurkey/who/ataturk/.
To tell you more about Ataturk, he wanted to modernize Turkey so he made a law against fezzes, which are felt circular Muslim hats with no brim. This law upset Turks because with brimmed hats men cannot touch their head to the ground in prayer. One man even put bandages around his head to pretend he had a physical injury so he could still pray properly. I didn’t like that law personally, but I do like some other laws he made. For example women no longer have to hide their faces with veils. Also daughters can go to public schools and women have almost every right men do. He did more things than just make laws. He introduced the Roman alphabet to the Turkish language. Kemal also told all Turks to choose family names and he was given the name Ataturk which means father of the Turks. I am proud to say that about him because he recently claimed “I look to the world with an open heart full of pure feelings and friendship.”
Sincerely,
Rachel C
