National Day in China
October 1
China's National Day is to commemorate the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949. It is one of the most significant national holidays in China.
Table of Contents
- When is National Day?
- The History of National Day
- What Do People Do on This Day?
- More about Mao Zedong
When is National Day?
China's National Day (国庆节) is celebrated on October 1st every year.
The following is the list of China's National Day from 2020 to 2049.
The History of China's National Day
After years of internal conflict between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Nationalist Kuomintang (KMT), the CPC, led by Mao Zedong (毛泽东), emerged victorious. The KMT, led by Chiang Kai-shek (蒋介石), retreated to Taiwan in 1949.
On October 1, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong stood on Tiananmen Gate (天安门) in Beijing and declared the official establishment of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国).
On December 2, 1949, the Chinese Central Government officially designated October 1st as National Day. In 1950, the first National Day parade and public celebrations were held in Beijing.
In early years (1950–1959), National Day was a highly political event, promoting Communist ideals. The government organized mass parades and public rallies.
During Mao's Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), National Day celebrations became simpler and more ideological. The focus was on political loyalty and revolutionary propaganda rather than grand celebrations.
After Deng Xiaoping launched China's economic reforms in 1978, National Day celebrations became more focused on economic achievements and modernization. In 1984, the government held its first large-scale military parade since 1959.
In 1999, the government introduced the National Day Golden Week (国庆黄金周), a seven-day holiday to boost tourism and economic activity. National Day became one of China's longest public holidays, encouraging domestic travel, shopping, and celebrations.
What Do People Do on This Day?
Flag-raising ceremony held at sunrise at Tiananmen Square, Beijing. Thousands of people gather to watch the national flag being raised by People's Liberation Army (PLA) honor guards. This is one of the most solemn and patriotic moments of the day.
A massive military parade is held in Beijing's Tiananmen Square every 5 or 10 years (e.g., 1999, 2009, 2019). Government leaders, including the President of China, oversee the parade and give a speech. Spectacular fireworks displays take place in major cities.
National Day is part of China's Golden Week (October 1-7), a seven-day public holiday. Millions of people travel across the country or visit family, and it is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Streets and buildings are decorated with Chinese national flags. Tiananmen Square and major landmarks display large floral arrangements with patriotic themes.
Many businesses offer major discounts, similar to Black Friday in the United States. Hong Kong and Macau also celebrate China's National Day.
More about Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong (1893–1976) was the founding leader of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and served as the Chairman of the Communist Party of China (CPC) from 1943 until his death in 1976. He was a revolutionary and political leader who shaped modern China through his ideology and policies.
He was born on December 26, 1893, in Shaoshan, Hunan Province, China. Raised in a peasant family but received an education.
In 1919, he moved to Beijing and Shanghai, working at Peking University and engaging in communist activities. In 1921, he co-founded the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Shanghai. In 1927, he led the Autumn Harvest Uprising but the uprising failed, which resulted in the CPC retreating to rural areas.
In 1934, after CPC defeats by the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang, KMT), Mao led the Red Army on a 9,000 km retreat known as The Long March, and gained supreme leadership of the CPC during this time.
In 1949, Mao's forces defeated the KMT, leading to the KMT's retreat to Taiwan.
On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the PRC at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, and he became the first Chairman of the PRC.
In 1976, Mao died on September 9, 1976, in Beijing. After his death, China began economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping, moving away from Maoist policies.
Mao Zedong was a complex and controversial figure, shaping modern China's identity through revolution. While he is credited with founding the PRC and unifying China, his policies also led to economic failures and human suffering.
