Today in History – 21 May

Another military coup attempt from Talat Aydemir

Claiming that the coup d’état of May 27, 1960 was not completed in certain respects, Turkish Military Academy Commander Talat Aydemir and friends tried to take over the government once again on May 21, 1963 after a failed coup attempt on February 22, 1962.

Although the coup began on the night of May 20, 1963, it came to be known by the date on which it was quelled as the “Coup of May 21st.” The slogan of the coup “Harbiyeli Aldanmaz” (Military Academy Students are never fooled) was a reply to Prime Minister İnönü’s words “Some people are fooling the young students of the Military Academy.” Attempted coup leader Talat Aydemir was an overconfident officer who took no pains to hide his intentions. He had been pardoned by clemency after the previous attempt. However, when the May 21st attempt ended in bloodshed, Talat Aydenir could not escape capital punishment and his sentence was executed by hanging on July 5, 1964.

Nonetheless, students from two terms at the Academy were suspended from military service out of fear that they could continue with Aydemir’s unfinished attempt. Education at the Military Academy was extended from two to four years. Additional places were made available at various universities to compensate for the unjust treatment of 1,459 suspended Military Academy students. Some of these students became deputies in the ensuing years.