Nation remembers Atatürk, flocks to Anıtkabir, Dolmabahçe Palace

Turkey on Nov. 10 commemorated the 83rd anniversary of the passing of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the country's War of Independence and founder of modern Turkey, with the nation flocking to his mausoleum, Anıtkabir, in the capital Ankara and Dolmabahçe Palace, where he passed away in Istanbul in 1938.

As is customary, daily life stopped at 9:05 a.m. local time (0605GMT), sirens wailed to mark the exact moment of Atatürk's death at the age of 57 and millions of people across the country observed two minutes of silence.

Somber ceremonies were held, wreaths were laid at the monuments, honoring the leader across the country.

All vehicles stopped on the three bridges of Istanbul and drivers got off for a standstill at 09:05 a.m. to show respect to the leader.

Long lines of tearful mourners paid their respects at Atatürk's mausoleum in Ankara and the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul.

"Bless his soul. Now it is our duty to protect the republic he established," Kudret Yılmaz, an Anıtkabir visitor, told state-run Anadolu Agency.

The number of visitors will be announced in the coming days.

Thousands took to the streets of all 81 provinces, with some wearing t-shirts bearing Atatürk photos, waved flags and commemorated the founding leader early Nov. 10.

Some Turkish citizens showed their love for Atatürk by visiting the house in the Greek city of Thessaloniki where he was born in 1881, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire.

"I came from Istanbul just to commemorate him on the anniversary of his death," said a young Turkish woman.

"I love him so much," said another.

An official ceremony was held at Anıtkabir in the capital Ankara. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and a delegation, including...