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It was November 10, 1938, at 09.05. The entire country was deeply mourned by the news from Dolmabahçe Palace. The Turkish nation had lost its founder, its leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, hearts united in shared grief. On November 11, 1938, the Turkish and international press carried this great loss into their headlines, respectfully recounting Atatürk's legacy. Let's take a look at how the farewell of a great leader, whose name had been known throughout the world, resonated in the press.

November 10, 1938: In the Aftermath of a Great Leader

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's illness had worsened. Doctors diagnosed Atatürk with cirrhosis and advised him to rest for a while. However, it was impossible for Atatürk, who fought for his nation until his last breath, to remain isolated from national affairs. Over time, his illness continued to progress. The public was deeply concerned about Atatürk's health.

As his illness reached a critical stage, medical reports were published on November 8, 1938 and Atatürk's condition was shared with the public. At 09.05 on November 10, 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, passed away. The sound of sirens rang out, and the Turkish nation experienced a profound and indescribable grief.

It was announced that Atatürk's funeral would take place on November 21, 1938. His remains would remain at Dolmabahçe Palace until their transfer to Ankara on November 20. Starting on November 16, the public would be able to visit Dolmabahçe Palace to bid farewell to Atatürk. At the funeral ceremony held in Ankara on November 21, 1938, both the Turkish people and leaders from all around the world who wanted to pay their respects to our great leader took their places to perform their final duty. Everyone felt deep and eternal gratitude toward this great leader who had shaped the course of human history.

Atatürk's remains were laid to rest in his temporary tomb at the Ethnography Museum with a grand ceremony. On November 10, 1953, his remains were transferred from the Ethnography Museum to Anıtkabir, his final resting place, in a ceremony attended by then-President Celal Bayar.

Reporting of Atatürk's Farewell in the Press

On the morning of November 11, 1938, the headlines in all newspapers were devoted to the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Numerous articles were published to inform the public and share the nation's shared grief. We have compiled news items reflecting the profound sadness and unwavering respect felt in Atatürk's passing

Tan Gazetesi (Tan Newspaper)

In its November 11, 1938, issue, Tan Gazetesi (Tan Newspaper) devoted eleven of its twelve pages to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with the headline "WE HAVE LOST OUR FATHER" appearing in large print on the first page.

Son Telgraf Gazetesi (Son Telgraf Newspaper)

Son Telgraf Gazetesi (Son Telgraf Newspaper) offered its condolences to the Turkish nation under the headline "THE TURKISH NATION'S GREAT GRIEF" and forwarded the government's communiqué on the matter.

Ulus Gazetesi (Ulus Newspaper)

The headlines of Ulus newspaper read, "YOU HAVE LOST YOUR SAVIOR AND ELEVENEST CHILD" and "Thank you, Turkish nation!" The newspaper also featured a moving editorial by Falih Rıfkı Atay and lines written by Hasan Âli Yücel. Yücel described Atatürk's love and devotion to the Turkish nation by saying, "How small, how helpless all we have ever said and written about him was compared to his greatness. We could not have loved him as much as he loved us."

Bugün Gazetesi (Bugün Newspaper)

Bugün newspaper wrote, "WE HAVE LOST OUR ATATÜRK" and "Yesterday, the Turkish nation was engulfed in the greatest grief ever seen or ever to be seen in its entire history." They commemorated Atatürk with these words. Suat Derviş, in his article following this great loss, described the atmosphere of that day with these words: "It was as if the crimson color of this flag, lowered to half-mast, had suddenly darkened and dulled."

Yeni Sabah Gazetesi (Yeni Sabah Newspaper)

Yeni Sabah, which announced the sad news with the headline "WE HAVE LOST OUR BELOVED ATATÜRK," included Hüseyin Cahit Yalçın's words, "Atatürk best understood the spirit of this nation."

Cumhuriyet Gazetesi (Cumhuriyet Newspaper)

Announcing the sad news with the headline "OUR GREAT NATIONAL MOURNING," Cumhuriyet Gazetesi (Cumhuriyet Newspaper) expressed the feelings of the Turkish nation with the article, "Great nations experience great sorrows, just as they experience joys."