Turkey marking 947th anniversary of Battle of Manzikert

Turks around the country Sunday marked the 947th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert, in which the Seljuk Turks claimed victory over the Byzantine Empire in 1071 that allowed the Turkish conquest of Asia Minor, or Anatolia, over the following centuries. It is seen as an epoch-changing event, after which the previously Greek region rapidly became Turkish. It took only several decades for many to refer to Asia Minor as the land of the Turks.

The president said the Battle of Manzikert foreshadowed the succeeding conquests of Bursa, Edirne and Istanbul. He said the battle was the moment Turks emerged as a power in history and if Turkey forgets the spirit of Manzikert, it will lose its history and future. "Remembering Manzikert means remembering ourselves," he added. He also specifically addressed youths, asking them to protect and preserve the nation's history to ensure its future.

"Don't forget what our ancestors sacrificed to ensure our strength," Erdogan said.