Turkish police stand for a moment of silence to commemorate the 85th death anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 10, 2023. Türkiye mourned on Friday the 85th death anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye. (Photo by Onur Dogman/Xinhua)
ISTANBUL, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye on Friday marked the 85th anniversary of the demise of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, with a series of events.
At 9:05 a.m. local time (0605 GMT), sirens blared, traffic stopped, and people stood still for two minutes of silence across the country to pay tribute to the late leader.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan placed a wreath at Ataturk's mausoleum in the capital Ankara and joined in a moment of silence when the Turkish flag was lowered to half-staff.
In Istanbul, thousands of people carrying photos of Ataturk lined up at the entrance of the Dolmabahce Palace to visit the room where he passed away and lay flowers on his bed.
Ataturk declared the republic in 1923, ending the rule of the Ottoman Empire after the Independence War, and served as the first president until 1938, when he died at the age of 57. ■
People stand for a moment of silence to commemorate the 85th death anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 10, 2023. Türkiye mourned on Friday the 85th death anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye. (Photo by Onur Dogman/Xinhua)
People visit the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to commemorate the 85th anniversary of his demise in Ankara, Türkiye, on Nov. 10, 2023. Türkiye on Friday marked the 85th anniversary of the demise of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, with a series of events. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
People visit the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to commemorate the 85th anniversary of his demise in Ankara, Türkiye, on Nov. 10, 2023. Türkiye on Friday marked the 85th anniversary of the demise of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, with a series of events. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) visits the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to commemorate the 85th anniversary of his demise in Ankara, Türkiye, on Nov. 10, 2023. Türkiye on Friday marked the 85th anniversary of the demise of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, with a series of events. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) visits the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to commemorate the 85th anniversary of his demise in Ankara, Türkiye, on Nov. 10, 2023. Türkiye on Friday marked the 85th anniversary of the demise of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, with a series of events. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)