When is Double Tenth Day?
This holiday is always celebrated on 10 October and is the national holiday of Taiwan.
History of Double Tenth Day
It marks the start of the Wuchang Uprising of 10 October 1911.
The revolt marked the end of the Ching (Qing) Dynasty that had been established in 1644 by the Manchus. The revolt led to the founding of the Republic of China on 1 January 1912.
Since the start of the nineteenth century the power and control of the Ching court had begone a decline and by the start of the twentieth century, China had become weak to Japanese and western influences. Discontent with this situation led to an uprising of nationalists under the leadership of Sun Yatsen.
The revolt in Wuchang was successful and it led to other uprisings to break out in other cities across china. The inevitable fall of the Manchus swiftly followed and Sun Yatsen was elected provisional president of the new republic.
Following the Chinese Civil War, the Government of the Republic of China lost control of mainland China to the Communists and relocated to Taiwan in 1949.
How is Double Tenth Day celebrated?
In the run up to Double Tenth Day, the square in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is illuminated. There are large parades and rallies, displays of martial arts, folk dancing, and other cultural activities on the holiday.
Celebrations end with a spectacular firework display over an island in the middle of the Tarmsui River in Taipei.
