Publication of İstiklâl Marşı

The Independence March is the national anthem of Turkey, also used in Northern Cyprus. Its words were written by the poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy during the Turkish War of Independence, at a time when the nationalist movement in Ankara was struggling for survival. The Grand National Assembly adopted Ersoy's poem as the national anthem in March 1921, after a competition among many entries; Ersoy is said to have declined the prize money. The melody in use today was composed later by Osman Zeki Ungor. The text has ten stanzas, though only the first two are normally sung, and it emphasises the courage of the people and the defence of the flag.

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