3Pre-IntermediateGeneralCulture

Turkey Gets Ready for a Special Holiday

May 19 is a big holiday in Turkey. People want to know if schools and offices will close. This day honors the country's history and youth.

1 min readLevel 3May 4, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

celebrate

/ˈselɪbreɪt/

verb

To do something special for a happy day or event

“We celebrate my birthday with a big cake.”

public

/ˈpʌblɪk/

adjective

For everyone, not private

“The park is a public place for all people.”

remember

/rɪˈmembər/

verb

To think about something from the past

“I remember my first day at school very well.”

freedom

/ˈfriːdəm/

noun

The right to do what you want without control

“People fought hard for their freedom.”

struggle

/ˈstrʌɡl/

noun

A hard fight or effort to do something difficult

“The struggle for a better life was not easy.”

honor

/ˈɑːnər/

verb

To show respect for someone or something important

“We honor our teachers at the end of the year.”

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

Turkey will celebrate a special day soon. May 19 is a public holiday every year. It is called Youth and Sports Day. People remember Atatürk on this day. He started Turkey's fight for freedom.

In 2026, May 19 falls on a Tuesday. Schools and offices will be closed. Many workers are making holiday plans now. Some people hope for a long weekend. Students are also excited about the break.

This holiday has a big history. Atatürk arrived in Samsun on May 19, 1919. That moment started the national struggle. Young people celebrate with sports and events. The whole country honors its youth today.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
What is May 19 in Turkey?
2
What day of the week is May 19 in 2026?
3
Where did Atatürk arrive on May 19, 1919?
4
What started after Atatürk arrived in Samsun?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
What is the name of the holiday on May 19?
2
What day of the week is May 19 in 2026?
3
Who arrived in Samsun on May 19, 1919?
4
Why are workers making holiday plans?
5
What do young people do on this holiday?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
What is your favorite national holiday? Why?
2
How do you usually celebrate holidays with your family?
3
Do you think public holidays are important? Why?
4
Have you ever been to a sports event on a holiday?
5
What would you do with a long weekend?