Timeline of the Republic.
Key moments in the history of the Turkish Republic, from the last decades of the Ottoman Empire to the present day.
1881–1918
Ottoman twilight
1919–1923
War of Independence
1924–1938
Reform era
1938–2000
Post-Atatürk
2000–
21st century
The Ottoman twilight
1881–1918
1881
Mustafa Kemal is born in Selanik (Thessaloniki), a cosmopolitan port city of the Ottoman Empire.
1905
Mustafa Kemal graduates from the War College in Istanbul as a staff captain. He becomes involved in the reform-minded Young Turk movement.
1908
The Young Turk Revolution restores the Ottoman constitution and establishes parliamentary government, though real power remains contested.
1911–1912
Mustafa Kemal serves in the Italo-Turkish War in Libya, defending Ottoman territory against Italian invasion.
1912–1913
The Balkan Wars result in the loss of nearly all Ottoman territory in Europe. Selanik falls to Greece.
1915
Mustafa Kemal commands the defense at Gallipoli, repelling Allied landings. His leadership makes him a national hero.
1918
The Ottoman Empire signs the Armistice of Mudros, ending its participation in World War I. Allied forces begin occupying Ottoman territory.
War of Independence
1919–1923
May 1919
Mustafa Kemal arrives in Samsun, ostensibly to oversee demobilization. Instead, he begins organizing national resistance.
July–September 1919
The Congresses of Erzurum and Sivas establish the organizational framework of the nationalist movement.
April 23, 1920
The Grand National Assembly convenes in Ankara, establishing a rival government to the sultan's administration in Istanbul.
August 1920
The Treaty of Sevres proposes partitioning Anatolia among Allied powers, Greece, and Armenia. The nationalist movement rejects the treaty.
January 1921
First Battle of Inonu: Turkish forces repel a Greek advance into western Anatolia.
August–September 1921
The Battle of Sakarya, lasting 22 days, halts the Greek advance near Ankara. The Assembly grants Mustafa Kemal the rank of Marshal and the title Gazi.
August 1922
The Great Offensive drives Greek forces from western Anatolia. Turkish forces reach Izmir on September 9.
November 1, 1922
The Grand National Assembly abolishes the Ottoman sultanate. Sultan Mehmed VI leaves Istanbul aboard a British warship.
July 24, 1923
The Treaty of Lausanne establishes Turkey's modern borders and full sovereignty, replacing the Treaty of Sevres.
October 29, 1923
The Republic of Turkey is proclaimed. Mustafa Kemal is elected its first president. Ankara becomes the capital.
The reform era
1924–1938
March 3, 1924
The caliphate is abolished, ending the institution that had linked political and religious authority in the Islamic world for centuries.
1924
A new constitution is adopted. The medrese religious schools are closed, and education is unified under the Ministry of Education.
1925
The Hat Law bans the fez and encourages Western headwear. Sufi orders and religious brotherhoods are closed.
1926
The Swiss Civil Code, the Italian Penal Code, and the German Commercial Code are adopted. Polygamy is banned; civil marriage becomes mandatory.
1928
The Latin-based Turkish alphabet replaces the Arabic script. Atatürk personally promotes the new alphabet in public demonstrations. The constitutional clause designating Islam as the state religion is removed.
1930
Women gain the right to vote and stand for election in local elections.
1931
The CHP formally adopts the Six Arrows as its official principles.
1934
Women gain full suffrage in national elections, ahead of France and Italy. The Surname Law requires all citizens to adopt fixed family names. The Assembly grants Mustafa Kemal the surname "Atatürk", Father of the Turks.
1935
The weekly day of rest shifts from Friday to Sunday, aligning Turkey with international practice.
1937
The Six Arrows are incorporated into the Turkish constitution.
November 10, 1938
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk dies at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, at the age of 57. İsmet İnönü succeeds him as president.
Post-Atatürk Republic
1938–2000
1939–1945
Turkey remains neutral during most of World War II, entering the war on the Allied side in February 1945.
1946
Turkey transitions to multi-party democracy. The Democratic Party is founded.
1950
The Democratic Party wins a landslide victory, ending 27 years of CHP rule. Adnan Menderes becomes prime minister.
1952
Turkey joins NATO, firmly aligning with the Western bloc during the Cold War.
1960
The military overthrows the Menderes government in Turkey's first coup. A new constitution is written.
1971
A military memorandum forces the civilian government to resign.
1974
Turkey intervenes in Cyprus following a Greek-backed coup, leading to the island's division.
1980
A military coup under General Kenan Evren follows years of political violence. The 1982 constitution is written under military supervision.
1984
The PKK begins armed conflict against the Turkish state, centering the Kurdish question in national politics.
1997
The "postmodern coup" forces the resignation of the Islamist-leaning Welfare Party government.
1999
Turkey is accepted as a candidate for EU membership at the Helsinki summit.
21st century
2000–present
2001
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) is founded by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and associates from the reform wing of the Islamist movement.
2002
The AKP wins a parliamentary majority, beginning a new era in Turkish politics.
2005
EU accession negotiations officially begin.
2007
A political crisis over the presidential election leads to early parliamentary elections, which the AKP wins decisively.
2010
A constitutional referendum introduces significant changes to the judiciary and military oversight structures.
2013
Protests in Istanbul's Gezi Park, initially environmental, expand into broader demonstrations about civil liberties and government direction.
July 15, 2016
A failed military coup attempt results in widespread purges of the military, judiciary, civil service, and media.
2017
A constitutional referendum narrowly approves a transition from parliamentary to presidential system.
2018
Turkey transitions to a presidential system of government. Erdoğan wins the presidential election.
2023
Turkey marks the centennial of the Republic. The anniversary prompts nationwide reflection on Kemalist principles and their relevance to contemporary Turkey.