19 May 1919 is the day when our Great Leader Atatürk started the national struggle against occupation by setting foot in the city of Samsun, an action that gave the Turkish nation the green light for attaining its independence. This key date, which we celebrate throughout the country every year as the ‘‘Youth and Sports Day’’, carries a special meaning for the Turkish nation. This specific day is also very important for Beşiktaş because it is a gift to Turkish citizens from Atatürk, Beşiktaş’s greatest fan of all times. However turning 19 May into a Youth and Sports Day is another great achievement for Beşiktaş.
Atatürk Sports Day 
19 May, Youth and Sports Day was first organized on May 24, 1935 under the title of ‘Atatürk Day.’ In order to express the love and respect felt by the Turkish Youth towards our ‘Eternal Chief’ Atatürk, the Beşiktaş Gymnastics Club decided to organize an ‘Atatürk Sports Day’ and held an meeting in early 1935 with the participation of Istanbul’s Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe sports clubs to realize its goal. Consequently, Beşiktaş’s proposal was accepted and on 24 May 1935 more than 20 thousand spectators gathered at the Fenerbahçe Stadium to watch the specially prepared sports activities.
On that day, more than 100 hundred proud Beşiktaş sportsmen wearing Black and White uniforms, and followed by Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray clubs in order, paraded in front of the thousands of applauding spectators with their heads up looking into the bright future. Shortly after this successful organization, the leaders of Turkish Sports Community convened in Ankara for the annual Sports Congress which has been held on a regular basis since 1924.
Festival of Sports and Beşiktaş
During the first day of the Congress, Mr. Ahmet Fetgeri, one of the founders of Beşiktaş took the floor and presented this motion:
‘‘Dear members of the congress, on 24 May 1935, the Beşiktaş Gymnastics Club organized an extremely successful ‘Atatürk Sports Day’ at the Kadiköy Fenerbahçe Stadium in association with our fellow clubs of Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. This special event, which drew the utmost attention of the Turkish sports press and public alike, gave an opportunity to the Turkish Youth to express their love and respect for the Great Leader. I hereby move that this organization, intended to immortalize the relationship between Atatürk and the Turkish Youth, be held on each 19 May of the year, under the title of ‘19 May Youth and Sports Day’. If this proposal is accepted, it will be the success of this Congress not Beşiktaş success.’’
Consequently, the said motion was unanimously approved and submitted to Atatürk who signed it with no hesitation into law. And now, the said youth movement, which was first proposed and realized in May 1935 by Beşiktaş Gymnastic Club, is being celebrated under the title of ‘19 May, Youth and Sports Day’ proudly and enthusiastically all over the nation from generation to generation.
Atatürk, Youth, Sport...
Atatürk always loved the Turkish youth. He trusted them and did not hesitate to leave the future of his country into their hands. He also emphasized the importance of their future task in his famous speech addressed to them:
‘‘Dear Turkish Youth!
Your primary duty is to protect and defend the Turkish independence and Republic forever. This is the only foundation of your existence and future. And this foundation is the most valuable source of your security.’’ 
According to Atatürk, who said that a ‘‘Sound mind exist only in a healthy body,’’ in order to attain success, one has to stay healthy while this health comes from active participation in sports. That is the reason why each 19 May is saluted with well organized sports demonstrations and ceremonies.
In addition to all these, the 19 May is also celebrated as ‘‘Atatürk Remembrance Day’’, because at one time Atatürk stated: ‘‘I was actually born on 19 May”.
The 19 May is the day of Turkish nation, youth, sports and most importantly, Beşiktaş.
Source: ‘‘One Hundred Years of Beşiktaş in Turkish Sports’’ by Vala Somalı