The National Anthem

Istiklal Marşı became Turkey's National Anthem in 1921.
First, there was a competition for the best poem. Out of 724 poems Mehmet Akif Ersoy's poem won the competition. Then there was another competition for the best music. This time 24 composers took part in the competition, and Ali Rıfat Çağatay's music came first. From 1924 to 1930 Turkish people sang their national anthem to this music.
Later Zeki Üngör, the conductor of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, wrote another piece of music for the poem. Today Turkish people sing Mehmet Akif's poem to Zeki Üngör's music.