Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was a Turkish army officer and revolutionary who served as the first President of Turkey from 1923 until his death on November 10, 1938. He is credited with being the founder of modern Turkey and transforming the nation into a secular, modern republic. At school, Turkish students commemorate Atatürk on the anniversary of his death on November 10th by learning about his accomplishments and keeping his memory alive in their hearts.