National Day Of The People’s Republic Of China
National Day of the People’s Republic of China, also known simply as National Day, is a public holiday observed in China. This day is celebrated annually on October 1st and commemorates the proclamation of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
This holiday often has another six days added to it and is bundled together with the Golden Week, effectively creating a public holiday that is a full week long. During Golden Week, there are festivals, concerts, military parades, and other events as determined by the State Council.
The History of National Day of the People’s Republic of China
The origins of this holiday can be traced back to October 1, 1949. This is when the leader of the Red Army, Mao Zedong, declared to a crowd of over 300,000 people in Tiananmen Square the official formation of the People’s Republic of China.
This declaration came right after the end of the civil war in which communist forces were able to take over the Nationalist government. In December 1949, during a meeting of the Central People’s Government Council, October 1st was chosen as National Day and ratified by the First National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
In 1999, the Chinese government decided to expand the celebration by seven days to give its citizens a seven-day vacation period. Many Chinese use this expanded period to travel and visit with relatives. Other popular activities during this time include visiting amusement parks and attending parades.
Fun Facts About China
Next to the history and the celebration of National Day of the People’s Republic of China, here are some fun facts about China that we’ve uncovered.
- China is one of the four ancient civilizations, alongside Babylonian, Mayan, and Egyptian.
- This country is the third-largest by area in the world, covering approximately 9.6 million square kilometers.
- China is home to the highest point in the world: Mount Everest, at 29,029 feet.
- This country also has the most international borders, sharing them with 14 countries.
- There are almost 60 ethnic groups living in China.
- Kites were invented in China.
Customs & Celebrations of National Day of the People’s Republic of China
This holiday usually begins with the raising of the Chinese national flag in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the capital city of China. This flag ceremony is typically followed by a military parade, state dinners, and fireworks displays. Because this holiday is part of Golden Week, people also use the time off to visit relatives and take trips they ordinarily wouldn’t be able to take.
