Brief History

The Turkish Nation, one of the world’s leading civilizations, possesses a history spanning thousands of years in a geography that has been the cradle of civilizations. Our country has inherited a significant legacy from the Ottoman Empire in the fields of social and human sciences. The emphasis on social and human sciences continued after the founding of the Republic; in this context, under the directives of the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish Historical Society was established in 1931, followed by the Turkish Language Association in 1932. Atatürk dedicated a part of his legacy to these institutions before his passing, thereby laying the foundations for a lasting scientific infrastructure in the fields of language and history. Both institutions have carried out important work at national and international levels.

According to Article 134 of the 1982 Constitution:

“To scientifically research, promote, and disseminate Atatürk’s thought, principles, and reforms, as well as Turkish culture, history, and language, and to produce publications; under Atatürk’s spiritual patronage, with the oversight and support of the President, and affiliated with the Prime Ministry, a public legal entity called the ‘Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language, and History’ shall be established, consisting of the Atatürk Research Center, the Turkish Language Association, the Turkish Historical Society, and the Atatürk Culture Center.”

Accordingly, by Law No. 2876, the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language, and History, a public legal entity affiliated with the former Prime Ministry, was established on 17 August 1983. It was formed to include the Atatürk Research Center, Turkish Language Association, Turkish Historical Society, and Atatürk Culture Center, and the authorities over the institutions within its structure were defined.

To ensure more effective scientific activities, in 2011, Decree-Law No. 664 on the Organization and Duties of the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language, and History was issued. The Supreme Council, consisting of the Supreme Advisory Board, the Executive Board, the Presidency, two Vice Presidencies, the Legal Consultancy, the Directorate of Scientific Studies Coordination, the Directorate of Human Resources and Support Services, and the Directorate of Strategy Development, has been structured academically through the establishment of scientific boards, communication memberships, honorary memberships, and subcommittees within the institutions, along with the scientific resources provided to the institutions.

More than 150 scholars, experts in their respective fields, serve on the Scientific Boards. These boards and subcommittees guide the scientific activities of the Supreme Council and contribute to language, history, and cultural policies.

The Atatürk International Peace Award, which combines Atatürk’s vision with the principle of “Peace at Home, Peace in the World,” serves the ideals of peace and friendship. This state-level award, granted by the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language, and History, is organized according to the Atatürk International Peace Award Regulation prepared under Article 27 of Decree-Law No. 664 and is presented in years ending with (0) and (5).

Additionally, the Supreme Council organizes the annual Atatürk Commemoration Ceremony on 10 November under the auspices of the Presidency.

Following the constitutional amendment referendum on 16 April 2017, Article 134 of the Constitution was revised, changing the phrase “affiliated with the Prime Ministry” to “affiliated with the minister appointed by the President.” By Presidential Circular No. 2018/1, published in the Official Gazette on 15 July 2018, the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language, and History was affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

From July to October 2024, the institutions within the Atatürk Supreme Council—the Atatürk Research Center, Turkish Language Association, Turkish Historical Society, and Atatürk Culture Center—moved to a new flagship campus, with each institution occupying a different wing of the facility while beginning to serve collectively. On 10 November 2024, the Atatürk Commemoration Program and the opening ceremony of the new campus were held with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and senior state officials.

The Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language, and History continues its work with a holistic approach, advancing Atatürk’s vision of achieving contemporary civilization.cu