Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica 中央研究院近代史研究所

2月25日 Forensic examination of the Nanchang Missionary Case of 1906

February 25, 1906, because Jiang Shaotang, magistrate of the Nanchang county, suffered fatal injuries in the throat after negotiation in Catholic church, riot aroused to kill priests and destroyed their belongings. This event finally closed by compensation paid by the Qing. Because there left Chinese and Western forensic reports on Jiang's corpse, and this was the first time media utilized photograph to report in China, this missionary case is special in forensic and media history of modern China. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Chang Chiu-wen, “The Nanchang Missionary Case of 1906”.

2月26日 "Marine Tiger" Submarine of the ROC Navy

February 26, 1917, Germany announced the limitless submarine policy. US accordingly broke its diplomatic relations with Germany, and China's cabinet decided to join the Allied Powers. Submarine is a modernized weapon. ROC navy did not have such a weapon until the government moved to Taiwan. Regarding the establishment of the submarine troop, you may refer to our published historical material: General Liu Guangkai’s memoirs.

2月27日 The Signing of Kanghwa Treaty in 1876

February 27, 1876, Japan and Korea signed the Kanghwa Treaty. This is Korea's first unequal treaty, granting consular jurisdiction to Japan, and denying Korea's role in the Chinese tribute system. This treaty was the first step of Korea's future annexation in 1910. Regarding the diplomatic relations among China, Japan, and Korea in the late Qing period, you may refer to our historical material: Historical Materials on Diplomatic Relations among China, Japan, and Korea (1864-1911).

2月28日 Memorial Monument of the February 28 Incident

February 28, 1947, because of an inquisition of illegal tobacco, there bursted out conflicts between the army and people and many people died accordingly. This incident is later called the February 28 Incident. It is a tragedy in Taiwan's modern history, the scars left by the suffering are not yet recovered completely. Regarding the reasons and sacrifice's number, there are no agreement by now. Our colleagues-- Huang Ko-wu, Chu Hung-yuan, and Chen Yi-shen-- provided research findings from various aspects. Furthermore, the institute compiled the relevant historical materials February 28th Incident Material Collection, and made oral history for future scholars' further studies.

2月29日 Total Mobilization!

February 29, 1936, the nationalist government announced the conscription law, putting conscription into practice on the next day. Conscription is an important foundation for modern national mobilization. From the Late Qing on, China had discussed to adopt conscription, but only as late as the eve of the Second Sino-Japanese War it was finally achieved. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chao Chung-fu, The Role of the Nilitary in the Process of Modernization During the Late Ch'ing.

3月01日 Postcard of Beijing's famous prostitute

March 1, 1930, Hangzhou held the method to abolishing prostitutes by drawing lots. From the viewpoint of government, the prostitute is crime and objects to be controlled. On the other hand, most prostitutes are not volunteer to choose the occupation. Every single prostitute has her specific life course to become so. In the past, historians tended to ignore the individual aspect. However, nowadays scholars tried to present personal life story in history. For example, you may refer to our research fellow Yu Chien-ming etc. eds. Re-reading Chinese women's life story. About the issue of prostitute, Beverly Bossler's "Imagining Chastity: from chaste prostitute to faithful wife" in the book.

3月02日 Liquidating great landlords

March 2, 1927, Hubei announced the Temporary Ordinance for Great Landlords and Bad Gentlemen. The Communist's major solicitations are liquidating great landlords and against exploitation, therefore they won many people's heart. Their success also suggests that there existed considerable conflicts in China's old society. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chen Yao-huang, "A Critical Overview of Western Research on the History of the Chinese Communist Revolution in Rural China during the Past Thirty Years".

3月03日 Three People's Principles are "Killing People's Principles"

March 3, 1932, Sun Ke blamed Chiang Kai-shek and Wang Jingwei with telegram, saying that he could hardly take the responsibilities of harming the country with them. The republican political history's major sides are Kuomindang and Communist though, there are many people neither left nor right. We must discern them in details so as to grasp the political history completely. For details you may refer to our research finding: Li Ta-chia, “Between the Left and the Right: The Guomindang and Guangdong Merchants during the First United Front, 1924-1925”.

3月04日 The Jin Merchant's Tealeaves Advertisement in the Early Republican Period

March 4, 1862, Sino-Russian Regulation of Overland Trade was signed in Beijing. Qing and Russia traded in Kyakhta. Russia coveted China's tealeaves and rhubarb so that they could gain considerable profits in the Western European market. Other than the maritime trade in Canton, Kyakhta trade's overland trade is also important. The Jin merchants who controlled the tealeaves trade remained many precious materials. For details you may refer to our research finding: "The Sino-Russian tealeaves trade in the latter half of the Nineteenth century".

3月05日 Electric train of the old Shanghai

March 5, 1908, electric train of the Shanghai concession started running. Today's people could hardly imagine the metropolitan life without electric train or subway. Modern constructions played essential roles in the city planning today. These are also useful in understanding the modern history of cities. For details you may refer to our oral history: Records of Interviews with Pioneers in Taiwan’s Urban Planning.

3月06日 An early poster on air defense

March 6, 1936, Central Aero-engineering School was established. It later developed to today's AIr Force Institute of Technology, and educated many leaders for the Air Force. Regarding the school's early development, you may refer to our research finding: Records of interviews with Mr. Lao Shenghuan.

3月07日 The battle to capture Jehangir

March 7, 1829, since the rebellion of Jehangir in Xinjiang was pacified, there erected a tablet to mark the achievement. The conflicts between Qing and the area adjacent to the border of Xinjiang and Central Asia were usually called "Rebellion" by China. However, their identification was quite complicated. The recognition kept on changing even after the fall of the Qing. Other than the ambiguity in historical facts, diplomatic consideration was also a consideration. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Lin Hsiao-ting, "The Tributary System and Historical Imagination: China and Kanjut, 1761-1963".

3月08日 Pope learns about astrology

March 8, 1835, Ruan Yuan was appointed Grand Secretariat. He was top of politic and academic world at the same time. As a major figure in the evidential research tradition, Ruan was not only familiar with traditional texts, but also know about astronomy and mathematics taught by the Jesuits. For details you may refer to our research finding: Wang Ping, "Ruan Yuan and Chouren zhuan".

3月09日 Part of a Qing navigation chart

March 9, 1826, Tao Shu went to Shanghai himself to supervise marine transportation. One of his chief accomplishment is to use marine shipping to smooth the food supply from the lower Yangzi delta to Beijing. About his records in governing, you may refer to our research finding: Wei Hsiu-mei, Tao Shu in the Lower Yangzi Delta.

3月10日 Chiang Kai-shek read his own China's Destiny

March 10, 1943, Chiang Kai-shek's book China's Destiny was published. During the Sino-Japanese War, the Nationalist and the Communist stopped fighting in appearance, but in fact they never stopped attacking each other. China's Destiny severely blamed Communism. This book continued to be important source of anti-Communist thoughts after KMT moved to Taiwan. Regarding the two parties' competition in propaganda, you may refer to our research finding: Pan Kuang-che, "Kuo Mo-jo and “Chia-shen San-pai-nien-chi”(Commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of Chia-shen Year)"

3月11日 Shoes for Foot-binding

March 11, 1912, President Sun urged the female people not to practice foot-binding. Foot-binding is unique in Chinese custom. It tortured Chinese female for nearly one thousand years. Certainly gender historians are concerned with this issue. More than that, recently scholars developed a new approach to review it from the aspect of technology. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Miao Yen-wei, "Visual Technologies and the Representation of Footbinding in Late-Qing China".

3月12日 Coronation of Tsar Nicolas II

March 12, 1917, the Russian revolution broke up and overthrew Tsai Nicolas II. This revolution and its later development influenced not only Russia but also the world. Regarding the revolution's direct reflections in China's historical materials, you may refer to our compiled archives: Historical Materials on Sino-Russian Relations：The Russian Revolution.

3月13日 Empress Dowager Cixi relieved the Xi'an people by giving food

March 13, 1903, the court ordered Duanfang to take the responsibilities as Governor of Shaanxi. When Cixi and the Guangxu emperor escaped to Xi'an in 1900, Duanfang well toke care of them. From then on Duanfang got promotions smoothly. He was one of the late Qing governors who were enthusiastic in reforms. He left certain contributions to China's new education. Our institute compiled his writings for scholar's reference : Extant papers of Tao Zhai (Duanfang).

3月14日 Tan Yankai and Xu Beihong's cooperated fan “Shepard's Pipe； On Calligraphy"

March 14, 1928, Tan Yankai was elected as Proxy Chairman. Tan is a politician in the late Qing and early Republican period. He has assumed important offices such as chairman of the National government, the first premier. He was also deep in calligraphy, Buddhism, marksmanship, and food taste. His diary is a valuable witness of the early republican history. For details you may check our digital database: Diary of Tan Yankai.

3月15日 Cinnamon recorded by Western naturalists as reference of China's agricultural resources

March 15, 1940, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was established. In the late Qing, despite the government was poor, China itself hold rich natural resources which was coveted by great powers. Establishing relevant governmental sections was for developing these resources for China's nation and people. Regarding the postwar development of forestry in Taiwan, you may refer to our published historial material: The Memoirs of Yen-han Hu.

3月16日 The Lost Port Arthur in the Sino-Japanese War, 1894

March 16, 1883, Li Hongzhang ordered to have Port Arthor to be constructed. Port Arthor is an excellent harbor. Japan and Russia have coveted it for a long time. Regarding its construction, you may refer to our Bulletin: Wang Chia-chien, "A Study on the Building of Port Arthur(1880-1890)".

3月17日 An illustration of preparing herbs in the Qing Dynasty

March 17, 1929, because the nationalist government had the proposal to abolish traditional Chinese medicine. 300 representatives gathered in Shanghai to pledge for canceling the decision, and they succeeded. The conflicts of between Chinese and Western medicine are a miniature of China's modernization. The points are not simply scientific, but are also involved in cultural and political factors. For example you may refer to our research finding: Sean Hsiang-lin Lei, “From Changshan to a New Anti-malarial Drug: Re-networking Chinese Drugs and Excluding Traditional Doctors”.

3月18日 The Number 1 Garden in Shanghai -- Zhang Garden

March 18, 1915, an anti-Japanese meeting was gathered in Shanghai's Zhang Garden. The number of the gathered people exceeded 30,000. They decided to resist Japanese products and save money for saving the country. As a special space in the city, garden's public functions caught scholars' interests. Other than Shanghai, there are several examples. For details you may refer to our research finding: Wu Jen-shu, "Gardens and Urban Society: A Social-historical Analysis of Suzhou Gardens during the Ming and Qing Dynasties".

3月19日 Cartoon against Chiang Kai-shek and the core members in his group

March 19, 1948, some representatives of the National Assembly requested for certificate of election, and negotiated with KMT's powerful figure Chen Lifu. Chen Guofu and Lifu brothers had close relation with Chiang Kai-shek, and thus grasped great powers within KMT. Qi Shiying, who was ordered by Chen Lifu to take charge of the party affairs in Manchuria was familiar with Chen's activities in the party. For details you may refer to our oral history: Records of interviews with Mr. Qi Shiying.

3月20日 The salvaged and restored warcraft Zhongshan

March 20, 1926, Chiang Kai-shek, President of the Huangpu Military school announced a small stage of siege. He disarmed Russian advisor's troop and withheld warcraft Zhongshan. Zhou Enlai was arrested for a brief time. This is called Warcraft Zhongshan event. Until today there are still many things unclear about this event. Anyhow, this event is an important milestone in Chinag's career to seize the power, and also shows the sign of KMT and CCP's future departure. Regarding this event and Chiang's career, you may refer to a book review in our Bulletin: Wang Ke-wen, "Jin Yilin, Top-Level Factional Politics in the Guomindang: How Chiang Kai-shek Consolidated His Position as 'Supreme Leader'".

3月21日 Uncle Sam kicked Chinese off

March 21, 1852, a British ship smuggled 475 pigs from Amoy heading for San Francisco to compensate the labor in scarcity. Chinese labors contributed great to the construction of Western US though, they were discriminated for a long time, and were even suppressed by the Anti-Chinese Bill. Only until recently the US government officially apologized. Regarding the bloody history of overseas Chinese labors, you may refer to our compiled material: Historical Materials on the Emigration of Chinese Workers in the Late Qing (1836-1910).

3月22日 Never forget the Teachings left by Sun Yat-sen even when watching beauties

March 22, 1925, KMT elites Hu Hanmin, Liao Zhongkai, Xu Chongzhi, Tan Yankai, and Chiang Kai-shek used telegram to declare that they would continue to follow the will of Sun Yat-sen to keep on revolutions. Under the KMT rules, Sun Yat-sen's teaching was not only ultimate political rules, but also highest academic canons. It is also a meaningful issue regarding how the KMT dealt with politics and academy. Regarding Chinese intellectuals's situation in the political atmosphere, you may refer to our research finding: Huang Ko-wu, "Chiang Kai-shek and He Lin".

3月23日 Mr. Yuan is fishing

March 23, 1916, Yuan Shikai announced to cancel the reign name Hongxian. This year was still Republican 5th year. Not long later he passed away in disgrace. In his earlier years, Yuan contributed greatly to the Qing Empire, and the famous figures such as Li Hongzhang highly evaluated him. Regretfully he coveted the throne and defamed himself. Even though, Yuan is still an important figure in modern history. Regarding his characters, his personal letters should be useful references. For details you may refer to our collected materials: Letters from Yuan Shi-kai.

3月24日 The books shown by the Hubei official printing office in the St. Louis Universal Exposition in 1904

March 24, 1896, Sun Jianai reported the regulations for official publishing. There is a long history in China for official publishing. The purposes used to be largely spread the teachings or knowledge agreeable to the government. This tradition further transformed in the modern period. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Lai Hon Kei, "Official Publishing and Forced Distribution -A Study of Publication Policy in the Early People’s Republic of China".

3月25日 Indonesian Chinese fought against the Dutch soldier

March 25, 1947, Nederland signed an agreement with Republic of Indonesia, formally recognized its independence. In Indonesia, Javanese people are superior in culture and politics, while Chinese are minority with economic power. Since the Dutch colonial, there broke up some Anti-Chinese accident. The ethnic conflicts continues to today. Regarding the anti-Chinese history after the WWII in Indonesia, you may refer to our publication: Chiu Cheng-ou, Recorded facts of the anti-Chinese policies of the Sukarno era in Indonesia.

3月26日 The Nationalist army defeated Chen Jiongming in Mianhu

March 26, 1922, Sun Yat-sen decided to retreat the army back to Canton because of Chen Jiongming's interruptions. Chiang Kai-shek supported Sun's decision. Chen Jiongming was the serious obstacle to the early KMT authority. Defeating Chen's power established Chiang Kai-shek's future in politics. Regarding Chen Jiongming and his breaking up with Sun, you may refer to his subordinate's memories: Records of interviews with Mr. Mo Jipeng.

3月27日 Memorial Monument for Wang Zhilong, Financial Supporter of the Anfu Club

March 27, 1917, 11 political groups under Duan Qirui organized "Zhonghe Club". This is the forerunner of the famous "Anfu club". Anfu Club was in fact a political party in the early Republic. Regarding its functioning and failure, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Peng-yuan, "The Anfu National Assembly Election: On Corruption as One Big Stumbling-block to Democracy".

3月28日 Madame Chiang conciliated countless Chinese women's heart during the War

March 28, 1943, Madame Chiang spoke to the American people on air, so as to urge them to support Chinese War against Japan. Madame Chiang was extremely important to the Chiang Kai-shek's regime, no matter in domestic or diplomatic affairs. Her role was also interesting to political historians and gender scholars. For details you may refer to our RWMCH: Shih Chih-yu, "Madam Chiang Kai-shek and the state nature of China-the construction of post-colonial patriarchal culture".

3月29日 The Yellow Flower Mound Revolt

March 29, 1911, the Chinese United League launched a revolt in Guangzhou. Despite this action proved to be another failure, its result agitated more Chinese people's sense of revolution, and established a better foundation for the soon later Wuchang Revolution. Later, Republic of China's government announced this day as the Youth Day in memorial of the revolt. Regarding the details of the revolt, you may refer to the memory of a participant. For details please refer to our oral history: Interviews with Mr. Mo Jipeng, and Interviews with Mr. Ma Chaojun.

3月30日 Site of the Airentang Drugstore where Yang Naiwu was falsely accused to buy arsenic poison for murder

March 30, 1877, Yang Naiwu and Xiaobaicai's criminal case's review came to an end. They were set free from the sentence of death because of the acuse of adultery. This case is one of the Four Great Cases in late Qing. The development of the story is extremely dramatic. However, if the new-styled media Shenbao was not involved and if the Yangs had insufficient patience and money, they would be judged unjustly. Through the analysis of the cases of adultery, it would help scholars to learn more about gender and family in traditional Chinese society. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lai Hui-min and Hsu Ssu-lin, "Lust and Punishment: historical re-coding of the cases of adultery in Early Qing, 1644-1795)", and our Database on revalent documents based on the Qing Cabinet Archives.

3月31日 General Sun ran into French Admiral Colbert at his night watch in Danshui

March 31, 1885, French Admiral Colbert seized Penghu. Later he died there. Taiwan is one of the main battlefields of the Sino-French War. The military coordination influenced the historical development of Taiwan. For details you may refer to our research finding:Hsu Hsueh-chi, "Situation in Taiwan during the Late Ch'ing Dynasty".

4月01日 Poster on New Democratic Revolution

April 1, 1948, Mao Zedong proposed the strategy for the New Democratic Revolution. In the important document "General outline" of the early Communist regime, New Democracy was granted an essential status. However, this situation changed only within a few years. This abrupt change suggests adjustment of the powers within the CCP. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Li Fu-chung, "Why the Chinese Communist Party Abandoned the New Democracy in 1950s".

4月02日 Site of Southwest Union University which was famous in the Anti-Japanese War period

April 2, 1938, the universities of Beijing, Tsinghua, and Nan-kai jointly reorganized Southwest Union University in Kunming. This is the representative university during the anti-Japanese War period. China's academic spirits and higher education endured the tough period in the wartime. For details you may refer to our research finding: Hu Kuo-tai, "Educational Funds and the Quality of China's Higher Education During the war of Resistance Against Japan, 1937-1945".

4月03日 Bill of People's Government of the Tannu Uriankhai

April 3, 1921, Tannu Uriankhai was lost. Tannu Uriankhai became a part of China in the Qianlong reign. It was seized by Russia when the Outer Mongolia declared independent in 1911. In 1919 China once recovered it, but up to this time Tannu Uriankhai was again lost to the Russians. From then on China never effectively control this land. However, PRC government never abandoned the authority. Regarding the institutions in the Qing period, you may refer to our research finding: Li Yu-shu, An Examination of Religion and the State of the Outer Mongolia. As for the negotiations with Russia, you may refer to our published historical sources recorded by the Embassy in Russia from 1942 to 1944: Diary of Foo Ping-sheung, 1943.

4月04日 A Qing painting on "Children at play"

April 4, 1934, China jointly celebrated Children's Day of the World's Children's Year. The Xingzhengyuan decided to have the very day to be Children's Day from the next year on. Highly evaluating children is a new phenomenon in the modern world. It is only recently that Taiwan's historians starting research on children's history. For details you may refer to our research finding: Hsiang Ping-chen, "Children's Health as Noted by the Educated Elite n the Late Imperial China”.

4月05日 People welcomed Xiao Chaogui, Western Prince of the Taiping's Heavenly Kingdom

April 5, 1837, Hong Xiuquan "ascended to the Heaven". During his illness he ran into a spiritual experience: seeing a person in high status granted him the responsibilities to destroy evils. Later he identified what he saw were God and Jesus in Christian. Upon this he created "Association of Worshiping the God", and later developed into "Taiping Heavenly Kingdom". Other than this great scaled rebellions, spiritual experiences influenced modern China's fate in political and intellectual spheres in various aspects. For details you may refer to our research finding: Huang Ko-wu, "Research into Spiritualism in Early Republican Shanghai: A Study of the Shanghai Spiritualism Society".

4月06日 Code of Arms of Far Eastern Republic

April 6, 1922, Far Eastern Republic was established. This republic is a puppy authority set by the Soviet Russin so as to make a buffer state from the Japanese power. However, the earliest Sino-Soviet diplomacy was mainly carried out in the name of this Republic. For details you may refer to our research finding: Wang Yee-chun, The Advent of Diplomatic Relations between China and the Soviet Union.

4月07日 The Victory of Taierzhuang

April 7, 1938, the Nationalist army won the Battle of Taierzhuang. This is China's first victory during the Anti-Japanese War. Regarding the details of the battle, you may refer to a participant's memo recorded by our institute's interview: Interviews of Mr. Shih Chueh.

4月08日 Battle of the Wei River during the Shaan-Gan Muslim's Uprisings"

April 8, 1873, the Shaanxi Muslim Bai Yanwu escaped out of the Jiayu Pass to Xinjiang. The "Shaan-Gan Muslim's Rebellions" came to an end. Later Zuo Zongtang continued to march to Xinjiang to pacify the rebellion. For details of the battle, you may refer to our research finding: Lee En-han, "Tso Tsung-Tang's Military Campaign Against the Muslim Uprising in Shaansi and Kansu Provinces, 1866-1873".

4月09日 Image of the meeting of Green Standard in the Jinmen

April 9, 1906, the court ordered that the Green Standard all switched to be police. Green Standard was for a certain long time the main force of the Qing's military power. Thus it is one of the essential topic of the modern military history. For details you may refer to our research finding:Hsu Hsueh-chi, The Green Standard in Taiwan during the Ch'ing Dynasty.

4月10日 Transparent blue glass bottle collected by the Qing palace

April 10, 1850, USA missionary W. A. P. Martin first arrived in China. Martin devoted himself in translating and knowledge transmissions. He introduced many Western things and contributed to the changes of knowledge and factual life in China. For example, today commonly used glass existed in China for a long time, however, for the common people, it was also thanks to Martin's introduction to popularize its uses. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Cao Nanping, "Glass and Everyday Life in Late Qing and Early Republican China".

4月11日 The Yangmingdong in Xiuwen, Guizhou where Wang Shouren was banished from the court to stay here

April 11, 1946, Chiang Kai-shek spoke to the Youth Army of Guizhou, and later paid a visit to the Yangmingdong in Xiuwen. Chiang repeatedly announced that he was a loyal follower of the Yangming's teaching. Wang Yangming had great influences on China's and Japan's modern intellectual history. Regarding its early development among Chinese gentry, you may refer to our research finding: Lu Miaw-fen, The Wang Yang-ming School during the Ming Dynasty: History, Thought, and Practice.

4月12日 A fan painted by Ju Zheng

April 12, 1949, Ju Zheng was appointed President of Academia Historica. Ju Zheng was one of the leaders of the 1912 Revolution. He endured many important posts in the Nationalist government, and contributed to China's legal system. The institute collected the works of his life, and published Chü Cheng Collected Works for historian's researches.

4月13日 Kang Youwei's calligraphy

April 13, 1898, for Kang Youwei the Zongli yamen reported the proposal to change the laws, which emphasized to abolish the bagu style essays for civil examinations. Kang also contributed Records of Japan's Change of Its Government etc. 3 books for the emperor's references. Despite Kang is a person of disputes, his important role in political and intellectual history is still cherished by historians. Besides, his calligraphy was also very famous. The Institute collected his writings Original Manuscripts of Kang Youwei for scholars' references.

4月14日 Site of the blast furnace of the Han-Ye-Ping company

April 14, 1908, Sheng Xuanhuai reported to the court to have the Han-Ye-Ping company established. Han-Ye-Ping is the earliest official still works, so was it the largest one in Asia at that time. It is related to very rich natural resources and thus was often coveted by the Great Powers. Therefore, its interests became the target that different forces to compete for. For details you may refer to our research finding: Hsieh Kuo-hsing: "Disputes on the Ownerships of Hanyehping Coal and Iron Company, 1912-1915".

4月15日 The Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction succeed in developing quite a few useful technologies

April 15, 1948, the Taiwan Provincial government issued Regulation of Renting Private Land. This is an important step for the Taiwan's land reform and agricultural construction. Regarding the Construction of agriculture of the post-war Taiwan, the Joing Commission on Rural Reconstruction played an important role. The Institute publishes the oral history of relevant important figures: Huang Chun-chieh, The Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction, to reserve the precious historical sources.

4月16日 Waterwheel placed in Zhang Jian's Graveyard

April 16, 1904, due to his success in establishing corporation, the court granted Zhang Jian with the title of Rank 3, and appointed him chief advisor of the Ministry of Trade. Zhang Jian won the first grade in the civili examination in 1894. He is not only famous for businessman, educator, but also a leader of the constitutional movement in late Qing. Regarding his influences in politics, you may refer to our Bulletin: Shen Yunlong, "The influence of Zhang Jian and Cheng Dequan before and after the founding of the ROC.".

4月17日 The reconcilement of two countries: Chinese people mistook the Treaty of Shimonoseki was a result of Japan's failure

April 17, 1895, the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed. The Qing empire abandoned its suzerainty over Korea, and ceded Taiwan to Japan. It is a turning point of the East Asian history. The influences are still visible today. Regarding the researches on this treaty, you may refer to our publication: Lin Tzu-hou, "Reconsideration of the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895".

4月18日 Map of Nanjing as the new capital

April 18, 1927, the Nanjing's Nationalist government was formally established. From then on up to the breakout of the Sino-Japanese War, there were ten years' relatively peaceful period for China to have a rest. Some people refer it as "The Golden Decade". Regarding the national development of this period, you may refer to the results of the Institute's conference: Collected Articles from the Conference on the History of State-building in the Decade Preceding the Sino-Japanese War.

4月19日 Military Lin Wang which was brought to Taiwan by Sun Liren

April 19, 1942, General Sun Liren dismissed the besiege of Yenangyaung, and saved 7,000 British soldiers. General Sun is one of the most outstanding general in the national army. Although later he was prisoned for a baseless accuse of mutiny, he was memorized by people. About his thoughts and personality, you may refer to our collected historical material: Collected Works of Genreal Sun Li-jen (1945-1954).

4月20日 Badge of the Female Youth Brigade

April 20, 1945, the recruited female youth joined the army. When there is a need for the nation, both genders should devote themselves. Female soldiers have several cases in the modern history. The most eminent is the Female Youth Brigade which lasted for 56 years. The Institute conducted their oral interviews to keep the historical records: Female Youth Brigade.

4月21日 Propaganda Painting about Communist Army's Crossing Yangtzu Battle

April 21, 1949, commander of the Jiangyin fortress, Dai Rongguang, rebelled and allowed the Communist troops to cross over the Yangtzu River. From then on the possibilities for KMT and CCP powers to border with the Yangtzu river diminished. Soon afterward the Nationalist government was forced to retreat to Taiwan. About the two forces' allocation across the Yangtzu River, General Ding Zhipan, when governing the Jiangsu Province, left some memories. For details you may refer to our oral history: Interviews with Mr. Ding Zhipan.

4月22日 The Korean embassy was about to enter the Eastern Gate of Beijing

April 22, 1887, the court honored Tang Shaoyi etc. for their contribution in helping Korea to establish the custom system for trade. Korea sent tributes to China is not only politically but also economically related. This special type of trade has been analyzed by our Institute's research findings. See: Chang Tsun-wu, Sino-Korean Trubutary Trade, 1637-1894.

4月23日 Travel Routes in Taiwan during the Japanese occupation

April 23, 1937, the international touristy, led by mayor of Tientsin Zhang Zizhong, departed for Japan. Tourism is usually considered to be nor more than private leisure. However, recently scholars noticed its meanings in the history of cultural interactions and consumptions. Especially in the modern history, a couple of important political and economic activities were perform in the form of tourism. Regarding the tourism in early modern China, you may refer to our research finding: Lu Shao-li, "Taiwanese tourism and the construction of geographic image in the Japanese occupation period", in Huang Ko-wu ed. When Images Speak: Visual Representation and Cultural Mapping in Modern China.

4月24日 Badge of the Party of Progress

April 24, 1913, Party of Progress was formally established, and Li Yuanhong was elected President. Party of Progress was an active party in early Republican periods. Despite it was not yet mature, this party still meant greatly to the history of constitution in Chinese history. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chang Yu-fa, "A Comparative Study on the Kuomintang and the Chinputang,1912-1913".

4月25日 Woren's calligraphy

April 25, 1867, Grand Secretariat Woren was appointed to serve in the zongli yamen. Despite Woren is a Mongolian, he was the loyalist New Confucianist and confronting westernization. His existence reflects the conflicts between Chinese and Western learnings and the multiple aspects of the ethnologic identity in late Qing. Regarding Woren's role, you may refer to our research finding: Lu Pao-chien, "On Woren".

4月26日 A Life Insurance Calendar

April 26, 1935, the Lifayuan established the laws of life insurance. Insurance is one of the new things introduced from the West. Today it became essential in daily social functioning. Regarding the establishment of insurance system in China, you may refer to our research finding: Wei Hsiu-mei, A Chronological Biography of Mr. Chao Tsu-yu.

4月27日 Image of a Qing Tusi

Gao Xiezeng reported to establish offices like in Chinese area and have soldiers to defende Zhandui, so as to protect Sichuan and pacify Tibet. The court asked Lu Chuanlin to carefully study this issue. Zhandui is located near Kangding. Qing's "Transferring Tusi to circulating office" policy is in fact endured a prolonged procesure. Regarding Qing's policy thinking in the Zhandui area, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Chiu-wen, "A Study of Lu Chuan-lin's Attempts to Recover Zhandui".

4月28日 Copper Statue in memorial of the signature of Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty

April 28, 1952, Treaty of Taipei was signed in Taipei. This is a milestone in the post-war Sino-Japanese relations. There are several reasons for this treaty to be eventually signed up 7 years after the cease of WWII. Other than as a result of the international negotiations, it was deeply relevant to Chiang Kai-shek's personal prolonged connections to Japan. For details you may refer to our research finding: Huang Tzu-chin, Chiang Kai-shek and Japan: An Epitome of Modern Sino-Japanese History.

4月29日 People's movement appealing for Independence of Korea

April 29, 1932, members of Korean Independence Party detonated bombs in Hongkou Park, Shanghai, and hurt several Japanese generals of Army and Navy. Since the annexation, Korean people sought for independence urgently, and China became an important support to these Korean revolutionists. For details you may refer to our compiled historical material: Historical materials relating to the Republican government and the Korean independence movement.

4月30日 Late Qing Matchbox painting: Selling Newspapers

April 30, 1872, Shenbao was first issued. Despite China has its traditional way of circulating information via "newspapers" since long ago, the newly introduced media from the West in the Late Qing still broke through regarding broadcasting new ideas among the Chinese people. Shenbao, which was issued in Shanghai, was its representative. Regarding the new functions of such new media, you may refer to our Bulletin: Zhang Zhongmin, "Enlightening the Masses:Elite Discourse on Popular Reading Habits in the Late Qing Period".

5月01日 Hey Market in Chicago under bombing in 1886

May 1, 1886, American workmen, centered in Chicago, carried out a great-scaled demonstration. Despite this event caused a tragedy in the hey market in Chicago, it serves also as a turning point for the world to seriously consider the labor issue, and also serves as the origin of the international labor day. In the nineteenth & twentieth century China, mainly an agricultural society though, was involved in this global trend without exception. KMT, at that time limited within the area of Canon, rightly seized this trend and found a new route to connect to labors to launch a new era for itself. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lu Fang-shang, "In Search of a Revolutionary Strategy: Pluralism and Diversity the Guomingdang, 1917-1926".

5月02日 Gurkha pays tributes to China

May 2, 1908, Gurkha pays tributes to China and had an audience to the emperor. Gurkha is today's Nepal. Despite it fought with China twice in the Qianlong reign, eventually it became loyal to China, and was called "China's last tributary state". In the late Qing Gurkha contributed to defending Britain from its aggressive activities in Tibet. Regarding the relations among China, Gurkha, and Britain in the Qing Dynasty, you may refer to our publication: Fung Ming-chu, "Causes and Effects of the Battle of Gurkha-- the relations among Qing, Tibet, and British India in the late Eighteenth century", collected in our conference papers: Collected Articles from the Conference on the Early Period of Modern China.

5月03日 Japanese soldiers in the Jinan Incident, 1928

May 3, 1928, excusing the Nationalist Revolutionay army, which was in the way of North Expedition, raped the overseas Japanese in the town of Jinan, Japanese army marched and slaughtered Chinese soldiers and people as many as 6,000. This is later called the Jinan Incident. Japanese army seized Jinan and was not retreated until the signature of negotiation next year. Chiang Kai-shek had considered this incident as the upmost of the shames in his life. This incident crushed the mutual trust between the two countries, and had left extremely bad influences for future Wars and anti-Japanese emotions. For details you may refer to our research finding: Huang Fu-ching, "China's Image of Japan: A Note of Tai Chi-Tao's "On Japan"".

5月04日 May 4th Moverment

May 4, 1919, due to the unfair decision in the Paris Peace Conference to pass the interests of Shandong from Germany to Japan, young students in Beijing and other people gathered for a patriot movement. This event is later called as "May Fourth Movement". In this movement, Chinese intellectuals also reflected traditional Chinese culture, and broadcasting to save the country with Mr. Democracy and Mr. Science. This movement influence future China greatly and broadly. CCP's launch has also deep relations with it. For detail you may refer to records of a special speech issued in our Bulletin: Chang Hao, "May Fourth and the Communist Revolution: The Radicalization of Modern Chinese Thought".

5月05日 The site Sun Yat-sen took up the position of President in the abnormal circumstance

May 5, 1921, Sun Yat-sen was elected President in the abnormal circumstance, so as to be against the government in Beijing. Despite this authority was unstable, and came to an end soon because of the attacks of Chen Jiongming. This is still an unforgettable period in ROC history. For details you may refer to what Mr. Fu Bingchang, who participated in the secretariat affairs in the Presidential office, memorized: Records of interviews with Mr. Fu Bingchang.

5月06日 US women won suffrage after a process of fighting

May 6, 1920, women's group in Shanghai organized League of Chinese Women's Suffrage. This group's theme is to seek for women's political right. Despite it was dismissed soon afterwards, the ideas of equal rights between two genders had become an unstoppable trend in the modern history. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chang Yu-fa, "Transformation of Chinese Women's Suffrage in the Upper Half of Twentieth Century China", in Lu Fang-shang ed., Voices amid Silence (I): Women and the Nation in Modern China (1600-1950).

5月07日 Patriotic Fan on anti-21 Demands

May 7, 1915, China was given an ultimatum from Japan, whether or not accept the "Twentiy-one Demands". At that time the Great Powers were all involved in the European Wars and thus had no room to care about East Asia. After 4 months' negotiation, China was forced to accept. This result made the whole China furious, and called the "National Shame of May 7". It also casted great variables to domestic politics in Early Republican China as well as the balance of power in East Asia. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lee Yu-shu, Sino-Japanese Negotiation over Twenty-one Demands.

Wu Youru had painted to record German Prince Albert Wilhelm Heinrich of Prussia's visit in 1880 before being involved in the Dianshizhai Pictorial Newspaper

5月08日 Wu Youru had painted to record German Prince Albert Wilhelm Heinrich of Prussia's visit in 1880 before being involved in the Dianshizhai Pictorial Newspaper

May 8, 1884, British merchant Major first issued the Dianshizhai Pictorial Newspaper, sent along with Shenbao, every ten days. Under the leading of famous painters such as Wu Youru, Dianshizhai Pictorial Newspaper contributed greatly to the enlightenment of late Qing Chinese people. For details you may refer to our research finding: Wang Erh-min, "The Illustrated Form of News for the Diffusion of the Modern World Knowaledge in the Nineteenth Century China: The Tien-Shih-Chai Pictural Newspaper, 1884-1900".

5月09日 Tablet for Forbidding Drowning Female Babies Forever in late Qing Fujian

May 9, 1930, according to a demographics, female population was 2.5 million less than male in Zhejiang. This is believed to be a result of the bad custom of drowning female babies. Drowning female babies is a notorious Chinese traditional custom. However, this happens under a restricted socio-economic situation, and its cultural meaning also deserved exploration. For details, you may refer to our publication: Lin Li-yueh, "Customs and Sin: The Records and cultural implications about drowning female babies in the Ming Dynasty", in Yu Chien-ming ed. Voices amid Silence (II): Women and the Society in Modern China (1600-1950).

5月10日 Customs of the Liuqiu people

May 10, 1879, Zonli yamen protested Japan's annexation of the Liuqiu Kingdom. Liuqiu had been China's tributary country since the early Ming. Despite in 1609 it was conquered and from then on controlled by Satsuma, Liuqiu maintained its loyalty to China. Since the Western powers got in East Asia, Great Powers coveted Liuqiu's position, and even proposed to whack it with China. However, China always refused and took efforts to sustain Liuqiu's Royal House. Regarding Qing's attitude toward Liuqiu, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Tsun-wu, "China's Reponse toward the Western Encroachment on Liu-chiu(Okinawa), 1840-1860".

5月11日 Tabacco sold by the Hui Merchants

May 11, 1902, Anhui Commercial Bureau signed a contract with British merchants to cooperatively excavate mines in the Huizhou area. Huizhou merchants had been active in Ming-Qing China. Their activities are important in economic, social, cultural, and medical history. Regarding their commercial culture, you may refer to our Bulletin: Feng Yuejian, "The Pawnshops of Eighteenth-Century Huizhou Merchants: The Pawnshops of the Wu Family from Mingzhou, Xiuning".

5月12日 Nightingale established the personality model for nurses

In 1912, International Council of Nurses decided to make Nightingale's birthday May 12 as the International Nurses' Day to mark her contributions. In China, the establishment of the nursery profession was also a result of countless people's devotions. Regarding its difficulties in the early stage, you may refer to our oral history: Interviews with Ms. Chou Mei-yu.

5月13日 Chinese working in the Australian gold mine

May 13, 1941, China and Australia for the first time exchange embassy. Australia is one of the overseas Chinese's residence in the nineteenth century. The rich golden mine here attracted many Chinese to come over; and Kuomintang has established a spot here long ago. This is an important part of the overseas Chinese history. For details you may refer to our oral history: The Reminiscences of Charles Cheng-che Lee.

5月14日 Sarcastic Cartoon on League of Nations

May 14, 1938, League of Nations passed a resolution to reclaim supporting China under Japanese military threats. Leagues of Nations in fact had no power to counteract great powers, however, it still provided substantial contributions to China regarding economic and medical projects. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chang Li, International Cooperation in China: A Study of the Role of the League of Nations, 1919-1946.

5月15日 Inukai Tsuyoshi's leisurely drawing of his friends' bath

May 15, 1932, Tokyo's Navy young officers assaulted Primary Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi and killed him. This is later called the May 15 Incident. Inukai is Sun Yat-sen's close Japanese friend and had deep friendship with China. However, because he was to cline to peacefully settle the consequences of the September 18 Incident, fundamentalists of the soldiers hated him and assassinated him. From then on the Eagle Wing was even stronger in Japan, and eventually led to Great war. Regarding Inukai and Sun Yat-sen's relationship, you may refer to our research finding: Huang Tzu-chin, "Inukai Tsuyoshi and Sun Yat-sen's Revolutionary Movement-A Discussion on the Motivation behind Tsuyoshi's Assistance".

5月16日 In the Main Hall of Xue Fucheng's Residence there is Zeng Guofan's calligraphy

May 16, Xue Fucheng states his opinions echoing to the demands of Imperial Decrees. He proposed 6 strategies for governing the states, and 10 discussions on marine defenses. Xue is one of the most important thinker and practitioners of the late Qing statecrafts. Regarding this trend of thoughts, you may refer to our digital database "Qing-era Statecrafts Collections".

5月17日 The Customs of Aboriginals in Taiwan in the Qing Period： Hunging Deer

May 17, 1875, Shen Baozhen, who was given the mission to tidy up Taiwan's marine defense, reported to the court regarding how to pacify the aboriginals and developing the mountain areas. After the Mudan Incident, Shen recognized the links between the aboriginal governing and marine defense, thus he positively paid energies on this issue. In fact, before it there had been over one century's history for immigrant Chinese and aboriginals to communicate, especially about issue of the land's rights. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chen Chiu-kun, Taiwan’s Aboriginal Proprietary Rights in the Ch’ing Period: Bureaucracy, Han Tenants and the Transformation of Property Rights of the Anli Tribe, 1700-1895.

5月18日 Advertisement appealing using national goods

May 18, 1915, Department of Agriculture & Commerce proposed to held Fairs for national goods. One of the important reasons to held Expo or fairs is to promote goods. Due to the import of foreign merchandise, the domestic products lost the market. The deficiency of international balance caused by this reason might not be less than the opium trade. Furthermore, the bankruptcy due to the domestic industries' failure caused social problems. Therefore promoting private industries was an essential issue for the late Qing and early Republican China. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chang Yu-fa, "Private Industries in the Late Ch'ing and the Early Republic of China,1860-1916".

5月19日 CCP Northeast field soldiers in fierce battle

May 19, 1946, CCP general Lin Biao was defeated and retreated from the Siping battlefield. This is the first fight in the "Four battles in Siping", and also one of the few victories of the nationalist army in the post-WWII civil war. After the fall of Manchuria, CCP army advanced really soon to conquer the south. This prooves the control over Manchuria was essential in the civil war. Regarding the situation when KMT abandoned Manchuria, you may refer to the memories of a Manchuria civil officer at that time: Records of Interviews with Mr. Zhang Shilun interviewed by the institute.

5月20日 Bank of Taiwan once encountered emergency in 1927

May 20, 1946, Nationalist government approved Bank of Taiwan to resume its business. It is commonly known that Bank of Taiwan played an important role in today's Taiwan finance. However, in fact in the Japanese occupation, the bank already occupied a certain position in the East Asian economy at that time. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lin Man-houng, "The Change in Economic Relations between Japanese Colonial Taiwan and Hong Kong - A Chapter in the Structural Change in the Relationship between Asia and the World".

5月21日 Coin of Republic of Formosa

May 21, 1895, Taiwan's gentlemen and people decided to establish an independent republic, and soon announced to countries in the world. Four days later, Republic of Formosa was formally born. Soon later Japan seized Taiwan with military power. After a long term colonization, Japanese was astonished to find out that the Taiwanese people was not assimilated to Japan to the least bit. This phenomenon is related to the issue of identity and worth deep explorations. For details you may refer to our conference paper: Yin Chang-i, "The Formation and Development of the 'Taiwan identity'-- From the Aspect of History", collected in Collected Articles from the Conference “Identity and the State: A Comparison of China and the West in Modern Period”.

5月22日 The formal letter from Edwin H. Conger, US Embassy in China, to China's Ministry of Diplomacy on the case of Subao.

May 22, 1904, the lawsuit of Subao was judged: Zou Rong was sentenced to be prisoned for 2 years; Zhang Binglin for 3 years. The case of Subao was an important political lawsuit broken up in 1903. Its contexts is the conflicts between constitutionalism against revolution. Because it was sentenced in Shanghai, it became involved with the standpoints of Britain and US. This is an event calling broad attention before the 1912 revolution. For detail, you may refer to our publication: Chi Ping-feng, The Controversies between Revolutionists and Constitutionalists in the Late Ch’ing Period.

5月23日 Sengge Rinchen in Hunting

May 23, 1865, due to the death of Sengge Rinchen, the Beijing area fell in panic. The court urgently ordered Zeng Guofan to supervise military affairs in Shandong to pacify the Nian rebellion, and switch Li Hongzhang to govern the lower Yangtzu area. Sengge Rinchen was a Mongolian prince. He achieved success in the Taiping Rebellion and Second Opium Wars. He was the last famous Manchu-Mongolian general in the Qing dynasty. After his death, the major military power totally switch to the Han people. This is a turning point in the modern military history. For details you may refer to our research finding: Liu Feng-han, "Late Qing Self-strengthening movement and early military reform, 1861-1895", in Collected Articles from the Conference on the Self-Strengthening Movement in the Late Qing.

5月24日 Spanish Silver Coin threw influences on Chinese monetary institution

May 24, 1910, the monetary regulation was issued. The unit was decided to be 'yuan'. since the Mid-Qing period, monetary issue became a serious problem to China. It not only caused Opium War in the foreign affairs, but also brought about unease in the society in the domestic term. Intellectuals of the time were concerned and discussed the problem. For the details of local factors, you may refer to our research finding: Lin Man-houng "Social Theories Revealed: The Statecraft Controversies over China's Monetary Crisis, 1808-1850".

5月25日 Anti-Japanese poster by KMT

May 25, 1926, Chief of Propaganda of KMT, Mao Zedong, resigned. In the beginning KMT did not pay attentions to propaganda. It was after Soviet consultant's repeated suggestions, KMT started the business. Many of the methods KMT learned from CCP. Propaganda is one of the important activities of modern political party. Regarding KMT's propaganda, you may refer to the institute's oral history for Mr. Dengjia yan, who served as chief of Propaganda of KMT: Records of Interviews with Mr. Deng Jiayan.

5月26日 News illustration on anti-US products in Canton

May 26, 1905, Gentlemen and merchants united for anti-US products because of the US expulsion policy against Chinese workers. Anti foreign goods movement is a newly risen collective activities in the modern period, which meant much to nationalism and domestic industries. The 1905 anti-US movement served as a milestone of such activities. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Wong Sin Kiong, "Overseas Chinese and Modern China:New Perspectives on the 1905 Anti-American Movement"

5月27日 Maritime War at the Tsushima Strait

May 27, 1905, Japanese GF defeated Russian Baltic Fleet at Tsushima Strait. This news called the attentions of the whole world, and decided the results of the Russian-Japanese War. This is the first time for the Yellow people to defeat White people in the modern period, and stimulated Chinese regarding the thoughts to revive. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Joshua Chung, "The Theory and Practice of Late Qing Theatrum Mundi: Stage Adaptations of Uncle Tom’s Cabin".

5月28日 Illustrated image of Mei Lanfang on stage

May 28, 1930, Pomona College in California granted Mei Lanfang with honorary Ph.D. degree. Soon afterward South California University did so. Mei's performance was extremely popular and his fans' distribution beyond classes. The breadth of his influence was no less than many scholars. For example, Mao learned a lot about history from his dramas. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chak Chi-shing, "Mao Zedong’s Use of the History and Culture of the Ming Dynasty".

5月29日 Macao depicted by Daniel Meisner

May 29, 1922, May 29 Incident happened in Macao. Due to a conflict between Chinese and Portugese, Portugese policemen suppressed demonstrated Chinese workers and caused about 200 victims. For this incident for a while a lot of Chinese emigranted to Mainland, and the population of Macao once decreased to less than 30% before the Incident. The background of this incident was the disagreement regarding Macao's Sovereignty since both China and Portugal overthrew monarch in the early 20th century. This problem was not solved until the late 20th century. Regarding China's negotiations about Macao, you may refer to our compiled archives: Special Archives on Macao.

5月30日 May 30 Incident

May 30, 1925, Shanghai students demonstrated for Japanese capitalist's suppression of workers' strikes. They appealed to defeat imperialism and recover concessions, and caused British policemen's suppression, resulting in 13 Chinese students' death. This incident called the attention of the world, and caused important influences upon Sino-foreign relations afterwards. For details you may refer to our research finding: Li Chien-min, Anti-British Movement after the May Thirtieth Incident, 1925-1926.

5月31日 Japanese Propaganda on Tanggu Truce

May 31, 1933, China and Japan signed up the Tanggu Truce. Because Zhang Xueliang failed in the battles in Rehe and Great Wars, both came to an agreement in Tanggu, as the cease-fire truce for the September 18. Since this agreement implies that China recognized it legal for Japan to occupy Manchuria and Rehe, later China had many opposite opinions. On the other hand, for this agreement Japan had the time to settle down in its newly conquered lands, and prepare well for the future wars in 1937. For details you may refer to our research finding: Hsieh, Kuo-hsing, "The Background and Meaning of Tangku Truce".

6月01日 Receipt for the Nationalist government to borrow food

June 1, 1945, the Cess Office of the Department of Food was formally established. China used to stand on agriculture. Despite the situation changed in the modern period, the land tax was still an extremely important income for Chinese government before its successful modernization. Regarding this crucial turning, you may refer to our research finding: Lee Yu-ping, "From the Tax State to the Enterprise State: 'The Chinese Agricultural Economy Society's Critics toward the Nationalist Government's 'From Tax Country to Enterprise State--- Some Critics of China's Farmer Economic Association toward the Policy of Land Tax in Kind in Nationalist China during the late Second World War Period", in Collection of Articles on the Modernization of China.

6月02日 Circus performance from the West

June 2, 1925, foreign fleet and Western merchants union defended Shanghai's public concessions with arms. China and foreign powers had conflicts and both had some victims. Afterwards foreign troops occupied the amusement pot. The Western-styled amusement pot in Shanghai already became a landmark in 1925. However, as the Western amusements were first introduced to China, they endured a process to become compatible with the traditional way. Regarding China's traditional leisure life right before the modern age, you may refer to our research finding: Wang Erh-min, The Cultural Life of the Common People during the Ming-Ch’ing Era.

6月03日 Burning opiums at Humen

June 3, 1840, Lin Zexu burned up a lot of opiums to proclaim China's resolution to prohibit drugs. This action led to the failure of opium war, whereas also become the forever symbol of China's firm policy of anti-drugs as well as anti-foreign aggressions Regarding China's activities in prohibiting drugs, you may refer to our oral history on a person who was involved in such business: Records of interviews with Mr. Zhong Boyi.

6月04日 Zhang Zuolin medal

June 4, 1928, Zhang Zuolin's car encountered bombs when it advance near Huanggutun in Fengtian. Zhang passed away next day. This incident is broadly believed to be plotted by Japanese Army. Zhang occupied Manchuria and dealt with other warlords and Japan, Russia for a certain period. He was a key person to understand the Manchuria issues in the early Republican period. Regarding the Manchuria issues then, you may refer to our published materials: Historical Materials on Sino-Japan Relations：The Northeast Problem (4) (1921-1927).

6月05日 Incident of the great suffocation in tunnel

June 5, 1941, due to the Japanese bombing, there happened an incident of great suffocation in tunne. The victims are as many as 30,000. In the wartime, common people were miserable. Other than the torture of moving, they also faced the threats of death. These are also common memories of many Chinese people in the modern period. For details you may refer to our oral history: 20th Century Wartime Experiences of Chinese Women: An Oral History.

6月06日 Posters for Taiwan Exposition in 1935

June 6, 1929, Xihu Exposition was opened. Exposition is a western invention. It could be useful in enlightening people, selling products, and demonstrating a nation's power. Therefore East Asian countries intimated to do so. For example, the 1935 Taiwan exposition is a successful case. Regarding missionary's introduction of the ideas of expositions into China, you may refer to our Bulletin: Wu Fang-cheng, "The Shanghai Polytechnic Institution and Its “Exhibitions”".

6月07日 Poster of the Changchun Station by SMRC

June 7, 1907, Japan ordered to have South Manchurian Railway Company established. SMRC was an important organization for Japan to invade China. However, its detailed survey turned out to become precious materials for studying modern Chinese history. For details you may refer to our research finding: Huang Fu-ching, "The Social Survey by the South Manchurian Railway Company-An Appraisal of Its 'Investigation Report on the Traditional Norms in Manchuria'".

6月08日 Coin issued by Muhammad Yaqub Bek

June 8, 1872, Muhammad Yaqub Bek signed a treaty with Russia. Russia acknowledge his sovereignty in Xinjiang, in exchange he permit Russians to trade. If it were not the efforts of Zuo Zongtang, Xinjiang was already independent for long. Xinjiang is a cross road for multi folks. Its issues are quite complicated and thus its historical studies open to promising future. For details you may refer to our research finding: Wu Zhe, "Research on the History of Modern Xinjiang: A Survey".

6月09日 Cartoon on Provisional Constitution

June 9, 1916, Sun Yat-sen sent a telegram to Li Yuanhong to appeal for restore the Provisional Constitution. The Provisional Constitution was set by Sun Yat-sen and other people in Nanjing after the 1912 revolution. It meant a lot in the history of China's constitution. For details you may refer to the results in our conference: Hu Chun-hui, "The Convocation of National Assembly and the Issues of Provisional Constitution“, in Collected Articles from the Conference on the History of State-building in the Decade Preceding the Sino-Japanese War, pp. 485-502.

6月10日 Yellow River broke in the Huayuankou Bike

June 10, 1938, the Yellow River broke in the Huayuankou and other Bikes. Japanese tanks seriously suffered from this incident. Flood used to be a problem to Chinese people, however, this time it turned out to help defer the enemy. Water conservancy is important along the dynasties. Regarding the water conservancy in modern China, you may refer to our oral history: Records of Interviews with Mr. Dong Wenqi.

6月11日 Hu Die, who was broadly believed to have an intimate relationship with Dai Li

June 11, 1946, the Nationalist government openly honored Dai Li, director of Department of Survey and Statistics in the Military Committee. Dai is a famous spy leader. Due to the speciality of his works, his stories are welcomed among common people. For details you may refer to the Institute's oral history for a lady worked for him: Interviews with Ms. Lan Min.

6月12日 Cantong trade in the era of Thirteen Factories

June 12, 1837, Britain insisted to contact directly with Canton government without through the Thirteen Factories. The so-called factories were officially granted monopolized organization, attached with diplomatic tasks. Other than unwilling to directly deal with foreigners, another essential reason why Qing insisted the factories system was that the Imperial house could gain profits from them easier. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lai Hui-min, "From Gewu zhizhi to Kexue and Shengchanli: A Study of Knowledge Systems and Cultural Relationships from the Perspective of Intellectual History".

6月13日 Image of Shi Dakai （at the left bottom corner) in the Qing illustration

June 13, 1863, Shi Dakai was captured. Shi is a famous general in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He was a great general in both talent and virtues. Therefore he was highly respected and left many legends after his death. For details you may refer to our research finding: Huang Chia-mu, "The Issues of Shih Ting-Chung's Fate".

6月14日 The Tongzhi Emperor received the audience of foreign embassies

June 14, 1873, after prolonged negotiations, the Tongzhi Emperor permitted the audience of foreign embassies. The ritual issue used to be an essential conflicts in China's diplomatics with the West. This time the Tongzhi emperor did not insist kowtow, symbolizing Qing had been adjusting itself to the new situation. Regarding the early conflicts, you may refer to our Bulletin: Yu Po-ching and Huang Yi-long, "Heavenly Dynasty and Men from Afar: George Thomas Staunton and Anglo-Chinese Relations, 1793-1840",

6月15日 Martyrs in 1900

June 15, 1900, The Boxers burned the Catholic outside the Xuanwu Gate, Beijing. Since the opium war, many missionaries entered China. From time to time religious affairs are involved in politics. This also reflect the cultural conflicts at that time. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lu Shih-chiang, "The uprising of Yu Tung-ch'en 1898-1899, an Anti-christian Movement in Szechwan on the Eve of the Boxer Catastrophe".

6月16日 Sun Yat-sen visited Huangpu military school

June 16, 1924, San Yat-sen visited Huangpu military school and gave a speech. Huangpu military school coined the core of the nationalist army, and occupied an extremely important position in the modern military history. For details, you may refer to our oral history of a true Huangpu graduate: Interviews with Mr. Lo Yu-lun.

6月17日 Battles in Changsha

June 17, 1944, Japanese troops seized Xiangtan and caused the Third battles of Changsha. Again the nationalist armies remarkably won the victory. The success should be attributed to General Xue Yue. For his life you may refer our published historical material: General Xue Yue and the Nationalist Revolution

6月18日 Illustrations on a famous case of abducting woman in the early Republican era

June 6, 1876, 2 arrested bandits who committed abduction confessed that it was the church asked them to do so. Abduction was a social issue stimulating social intentions. Generally the most concerned are the cases of kids or women. Regarding the management of abduction cases of women in the Qing dynasty, you may refer to our research finding: Lai Humin, Zhu Qingwei, "Women, family and society: A study of abduction and elopement cases in imperial China (1723~1741)".

6月19日 Frontier Outlaw helped the Japanese side in the Russin-Japanese War

June 19, 1916, Gaiping, Haicheng, and other towns in Fengtian were captured by Frontier Outlaws. They were also nicked named as beard bandit, beard, or horse bandit. From the late Qing on, they were active in Manchuria, and exerted influences between China, Japan, and Russia. It was a special phenomenon in the modern history. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chao Chung-fu, "Frontier Outlaws in Manchuria, 1890-1930".

6月20日 Peasants and Mules civilizing the Manchurian land

June 20, 1911, the court ordered to have the bureau of Manchuria Cultivation to be established. Manchuria used be the origin of the Qing dynasty, thus Chinese emigrant was strictly regulated. It was up to the late Qing the policy was changed and opened to emigrants. Until Japan controlled manchuria, Chinese emigrants were still the main force of its development. The manpower adding Japanese technology later formed an important strength to construct the post-War China. Regarding emigrant and Manchuria's construction, you may refer to our research finding: Chao Chung-fu, "Migrants and the development of agriculture in the three northeastern provinces (1920-30)".

6月21日 In the Religious Conflict in Tianjin people burned the church

Late Qing Cartoon, June 21, 1870, Tianjin Massacre broke out. one of the most important "missionary incidents" of the late Qing Dynasty, involved attacks on French Catholic priests and nuns, violent belligerence from French diplomats, and armed foreign intervention in Tientsin (Pinyin 'Tianjin') in 1870. The incident marked an end to comparative cooperation between foreign powers and the Tongzhi Manchu court, and adversely affected the ongoing renegotiation of theTreaties of Tientsin, first signed in 1858.

For details, refer to our publications: Lü Shih-chi'ang
The Origin and Cause of the Anti-Christian Movement by Chinese Officials and Gentry, 1860-1874
and
Archives on Missionary affairs and Missionary Cases

6月22日 Naval Battle of the Opium War

June 22, 1840. The British Commander, Admiral George Elliot declared war on China. The defeat of the naval battle made China first recognized the power of Western technology. Developing the steamship became an important policy. For details, please refer to the first chapter of Lü Shih-ch’iang, "Early Steamship Management in China" and Wang Hsien-chun, "History Driven by Steam: The Steam Engine in Late Qing China, 1840-1890".

6月23日 1925, Bond of the Boxer Indemnity

June 23, 1908, US announced to return part of the Boxer Indemnity to China. For details, see Wang Shu-huai, "The Boxer Indemnity"

6月24日 A slogan of the China’s birth planning policy.

June 24, 1882, demographist Ma Yinchu was born. For the research on the population issue, see Kohama Masako, “The Beginnings of Birth Planning in Shanghai in the 1950s and 1960s”

6月25日 Propaganda Cartoon for Korean War

June 25, 1950. The Korean war broke up. This war changed the power balance of the East Asia. For details refer to: Chang Su-ya, "Pragmatism and Opportunism：U.S. Taiwan Policy during tje Korean War"；Shen Zhihua ed., "The Korean War: Declassified Documents from Archives in Russia"

6月26日 Stamps used in the Chinese Communist’s “Middle Plain Emancipation Area”

June 26, 1946. Kuomintang army attacked the Communists’ “Middle Plain Emancipation Area”.
The civil war formally broke out. For details see: Hu Peing-sheng, "Hurried Travels: Chiang Kai-shek’s Two Northern Inspection Tours of 1947"

6月27日 The US Seventh Fleet maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait (1958)

June 27, 1950, the US Seventh Fleet starts garrisoning the Taiwan Strait. For details refer to: Su-Ya Chang, “The Taiwan Strait Crises and U.S. Attitude toward 'Reconquering the Mainland' in the 1950s”; Su-Ya Chang, “Patterns of U.S. Policymaking with Respect to Taiwan in the 1950s”

6月28日 Meeting of the Ministry of Diplomacy: The solving method of not signing the treaty of peace.

June 28, 1919, Chinese representative refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles.
For details see the Archive's collection and Historical Materials on Sino-Japan Relations：The Paris Peace Conference and the Shandong Problem (1918-1919)

6月29日 the Chinese Communist Party called on a strike in Guangdong

June 29, 1925, the Chinese Communist Party called on a strike in Guangdong. One of the institute’s relevant studies is: “Foes or Allies: Merchants and Political Parties in the Canton-Hong Kong Strike of 1925”, by Li Ta-chia

6月30日 The Wusong Railroad started transport services

June 30, 1876, The British merchant's Wusong Railroad started transport services. This is the first railroad in China. About the history of railroad in China, refer to:Chang Jui-te ，"Railroads in Modern China: Political Aspects of Railroad Administration, 1876-1937"，Wang Shu-hwai ，"Controversies over the Construaction of Railroad in China, 1859-1889"

7月01日 The Great Qing Bank's Convertible paper money

July 1, 1908, The Qing government renamed the "Bank of Finance Ministry" to the "Great Qing Bank". This is the first central bank in China. About the history of Chinese finance, refer to: "Lin Man-houng ed. Public Finance and Modern History"

7月02日 Li Yuanhong's calligraphy

July 2, 1917, because of the Manchu Restoration, Li Yuanhong, the Republic of China's President, escaped to the Japanese legation to seek for political asylum. For details please refer to our publication:Shen Yun-lung, "A Critical Biography of Li Yuan-hung"

7月03日 The official seal of the Imperial University of Peking with Manchurian and Chinese scripts

July 3, 1898, Emperor Guangxu appointed Sun Jianai as Supervising Minister of the Imperial University of Peking was established. About the students of the University, you may refer to our publication:Fang Chao-ying ed."First edition of Records of Western learning students in the late Qing-early Republican period"

7月04日 George Washington crossing the Delaware

July 4, 1776, the Continental Congresson adopted the Declaration of Independence, which announced that the thirteen American colonies were no longer a part of the Great Britain Kingdom. George Washington was appointed as commander in chief. This is one of the most influential event in human history. About its influence in China, see our colleague Pan Kuang-che's work “

The American Declaration of Independence in Late Qing Chinasummary".

7月05日 Incense burner used in the Tiandihui ritual

July 5, 1854, Chen Kai, leader of the Tiandihui (Heaven and Earth Society) of Guangdong, besiege Canton. Later he established the Dacheng State. About Tiandihui's activities in modern history, you may refer to our publication:Lu Pao-chien, An Analysis of the Rebel Government of the T'ien ti hui in South China

7月06日 Records of the National Revolutionary Army's Northern Expedition

July 6, 1928, Chang Kai-shek hosted the memorial ceremony for the achieved Northern Expedition. To know more about the Northern Expedition, you may refer to our publications, such as Huang Chia-mo ed. General Bai Chongxi and the Northern Expedition

7月07日 Qi Baishi's "Seven Chicken"

July 7, 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident broke out. It marks the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, about the national army, you may refer to Chang Jui-te, Anatomy of the Nationalist Army, 1937-1945

7月08日 Bond of the Chinese Revolutionary Party

July 8, 1914, Chinese Revolutionary Party was established in Tokyo. About the development of the Kuomindang in the early Republican period, you may refer to Lu Fang-shang, Rekindle the Revolution: The Kuomintang’s Response to New Thought before the Reorganization, 1914-1924

7月09日 Three Principles for the People's Youth Corps's ID

July 9, 1938, Three Principles for the People's Youth Corps was established in Wuchang. It is Kuomindang's youth organization and usually acted in the campus. About its organization and roles, you may refer to our publication:. Jiang Baolin, "The Kuomingtang Organization and the Struggle between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party at National Central University, 1927-1949 "

7月10日 The first Orders of Blue Sky and White Sun with Grand Cordon were granted to the generals involved in the Sino-Soviet conflict (1929).

July 10, 1929, Zhang Xueliang used force to expel the Russian employees of the Manchurian Chinese Eastern Railways, and aroused the Sino-Soviet conflict (1929). About the wrestles between internationalism and nationalism reflected by the conflict, you may refer to our publication: Yu Miin-ling, "The Practice of Internationalism at Sun Yat-sen University in Moscow, 1925-1930"

7月11日 Postcard of Old Shanghai Race course

July 11, 1860, the consuls of Britain, France, and United States announced that the people in these three countries' concessions would be governed by the "municipal committee". Foreign concessions brought considerable impacts to Chinese life style and various aspects of new culture. For example, you may refer to our research result: Chang Ning, "From Race Course to People's Square: Remapping the Shanghai Recreation Ground, 1946-1951"

7月12日 The building of Yangzi Custom located in Shanghai (Qing period)

July 12, 1854, the new custom in Shanghai started functioning. This custom was supervised by the tax inspectors from Britain, France, and United States. It is the start of the foreigner to control Chinese tariff. For the reference about Chinese custom, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Tsun-wu, "A Brief Review of the Publications of the Chinese Maritime Customs, 1859-1949"

7月13日 Chen Jitang's calligraphy

July 13, 1936, Tang Shaoyi, Wang Chonghui, Xu Chongzhi, and Sun Ke urged Chen Jitang to leave Guangdong to cease the Liang Guang Excigency by telegram. About the rise of Chen Jitang, you may refer to our oral history: Records of Interviews with Mr. Ma Chaojun

7月14日 Mob Storms of the Bastille

July 14, 1789, the prison of Bastille was fell. The day is later chosen as the national day of France. About the French revolution's intellectual impact onto China, you may refer to out publication: Jin Guantao, “The Origin of Ideas: Conjecture and Proof-- A Review of The Modernity of "Revolution": On Chinese Revolutionary Discourse".

7月15日 The Beiyang diplomatic archives "On the Issue of the usage of Likin taxation", which decides to abolish the Likin system.

July 15, 1928, Committee of Abolishing Likin System was founded in Nanking. About the tax reforms in modern China, you may refer to our Economic Archives, as well as the research finding: Lin May-li, The Development of Western Taxation Systems in Modern China。

7月16日 The story of "Wu Xun establishes school" appearing in the early postwar period's textbook in Taiwan.

July 16, 1909, Yuan Shuxun, Shandong's governer, requested to have the Historica to write a biography for the moral beggar Wu Xun. Wu Xun begged to accumulate fund to establish schools. The modern popular educational readers often transmit his story as a model. For relavant studies, you may refer to our publication: Liu Long-hsin, "The Popular Reading Publishing Company and Wartime Historical Writings, 1933-1940".

7月17日 Postcard about Germany's lease of Jiaozhou Bay

July 17, 1898, China and Germany exchange the treaty of leasing the Jiaozhou Bay. About the affairs of this lease, you may refer to our publication: Special Archives on Jiaozhou Bay (1897-1912)

7月18日 Charging French Calvary in the Battle of Wörth

July 19, 1870, Napoleon III declared war on Prussia. The Franco-Prussia War broke up. The Franco-Prussia War influenced the future competition's type among national states, including the For details you may refer to our publication: Hwang Jinlin, "The Production of the Militarized Body in China, 1895-1945".

7月19日 The Xiang Army recovered Jinling

July 19, 1864, the Xiang Army captured the capital of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. About the details of the Xiang Army, you may refer to our research findings: Wang Erh-min, “The Formation and Maintenance of the Military Cliques of the Hsiang Army".

7月20日 Xue Fuchen's Shrine. The horizontal inscribed board and couplets are believed to be Cixi's gifts to appreciate Xue.

July 20, 1881, because Empress Dowager Cixi's chronicle illness was completely healed, the court granted awards to Xue Fuchen and other physicians. To know more about the healing in the Qing palace, you may refer to our research findings: Chang Che-chia, "The Value and Limitation of the Medical Archives in the Qing Palace", etc.

7月21日 Certificate of Appointment of the Kota Medan, Java

July 21, 1911, the office of Consul in general of Java was established. About the overseas Chinese and Indonesia, you may know more by referring to our publications: Chang Tsun-wu, Li Yu-ching, The Reminiscences of Mr. Chang Hsi-cheh

7月22日 Memorial coin of the establishment of Hunan constitution

July 22, 1920, Tan Yankai, Commander-in-chief of Hunan, announced that Hunan was going to practice Self-government and establish its provincial constitution. About the details of Hunan's self-government, you may refer to our Tan Yankai Diary database, and the memorandum of Zhong Boyi, who attended the self-government movement.

7月23日 Illustration of Tianji

July 23, 1868, Jiangnan Arsenal completed its first steamboat "Tianji". This is the beginning for China to produce military boats by herself. To know more about the establishment of Chinese arsenal industry, you may refer to our research findings: Wang Erh-min, The Rise of the Arms Industry in Late Ch'ing Era and Lei Ying. Memoir on Forty Years Ordnance Technology and Management.

7月24日 Office of the Kaiping Mining bureau

July 24, 1878, Kaiping Mining bureau was formally established. Kaiping coal is one of the important construction in the Movement of Self-strengthening. Its purpose was to Wang Hsi, Negotiations between China and Britain over Mingning Rights in Kaiping.

7月25日 Japanese cruiser Naniwaku sank the Chinese troopship Gaosheng

July 25, 1894, Chinese and Japanese navies encountered in the open sea near Fengdao of the Chosen kingdom. Japanese fleet sank Chinese troopship Gaosheng (rent from Britain), cruiser Guangyi, and captured gun ship Caijiang. The first Sino-Japanese War broke up. The result of this war announced the failure of Movement of Self-strengthening, and served as a milestone of China's fate and the Sino-Japanese relationship. For details of the post-war Sino-Japanese relationship, you may refer to our research finding: Collected Articles from the Third Conference on the Sino-Japanese Relations in the Last Hundred Years

7月26日 Astor House Hotel is one of the earliest places where lighted up electric lamps.

July 26, 1882, Shanghai's Concession started using dynamo, and lighted up 15 electronic lamps in Astor House Hotel and other places. This is the beginning of using electric lamps in China. About the relevant history, you may refer to our research findings: Wang Shu-huai, "The Ying-lu Electric Light Company at Jiujiang: Self-Management and Reorganization, 1917-1937" and "Private Electricity Plants and Its Application to the case of the Kaiming Electrical Power Company".

7月27日 Telegram machine's model of the Qing period

July 27, 1906, Yuan Shikai reported that the Beiyang Army had completed the preparation of wireless telegram. Yuan used to lay emphasis on controlling communication and transportation. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lin Ming-teh, Yuan Shikai and Korea. Furthermore, about the postal and telcommunication in Chinese history, you may refer to our publication: Records of Interviews with Mr. Yu Runsheng, Lai Hon Kei, "A Study of Postal and Telcommunication Services in the Early People’s Republic of China"

7月28日 Lottery of Successful Candidates' Surname

July 28, 1881, the court prohibited Guangdong from gambling on the future successful candidate's surname. Gamble is a prevailing entertainment for Chinese people. It is related to both daily life and governmental finance. For relavant information you may refer to our research finding: Jennifer Chang's paper in The City and Chinese Modernity.

7月29日 Chinese team for praying for rain illustrated by foreigner.

July 29, 1934, prohibited the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces from praising rain from deity. Even after the Republican period, the traditional religion still great influences in Chinese people. For details you may refer to our research finding: Li Hsiao-ti, "New Directions in 20th Century China: Viewed in the Light of Traditional Relations Between High Culture and Popular Culture".

7月30日 The Symbol of Los Angels Olympic Game

July 30, 1932, the Olympic game in Los Angels was opened. This is the first time China attended the game. About the history of Chinese participation of Olympic, you may refer to our research findings: Chang Chi-hsiung, "The Republic of China's Struggle over its Name in the International Olympic Committee circa 1960" and "De jure and De facto Arguments in the Negotiations between the Republic of China and the International Olympic Committee: Naming in the Mexico Olympic Games, 1965-1968".

7月31日 Memorial stamp of Mr. Zhan Tianyou

July 31, 1912, the Chinese government appointed Zhan Tianyou to assist the affairs of Yue-Han Railway. Zhan plays an important role in the history of Chinese railroad. About his life you may refer to our research finding: Ling Hung-hsun and Kao Tsung-lu eds. Zhan Tianyou and Chinese Raiways

8月01日 Flying TIger's postcard

August 1, 1941, Flying Tigers (American Volunteer Group) was formally set up in Kunming. Flying Tigers contributed significantly to the War against Japanese aggression. About the details of Flying Tiger, you may refer to our oral history: "Mr. Xu Kangliang's memory".

8月02日 Illustration of the Battle with Muslim at the Fort of Dali, Yunnan

August 2, 1873, because the Yunnan Muslim Rebellion was completely pacified, the court granted governor Cen Yuying and other people who rendered great services. About the details of the Yunnan Muslim Rebellion, you may refer to our research finding: Wang Shuhuai, Muslim Uprisings of Yunnan during the Xianfeng and Tongzhi Reigns.

8月03日 Hand press on which the first issues of North China Harald were printed

August 3, 1850, North China Herald was first issued. North China Herald is the first newspaper in the modern sense in Shanghai. It is also a very important material for modern history. One of the users is our research finding: Sun Huei-min, "The Introduction of the Western-style Lawyers in the Late Qing".

8月04日 The Japanese Chemical Soldiers in the Sino-Japanese War

August 4, 2003, abandoned Japanese chemical weapons were excavated in Qiqihar and caused serious poison event. Chemical warfare is effective but highly controversial. Other than the Japanese, it was also rumored that US used the Japanese experimental results in the Korean War battlefield. Our relevant publication is: Ho Peng-yoke, "My Recognition of Joseph Needham and Science and CIvilization in China.

8月05日 Bai Lang passes the Qin area.

August 5, 1914, the great bandit Bai Lang's troop was destroyed. Bandit is an important issue in the modern history, about this topic you may refer to our publication: Chen Yao-huang, "A review of Stephen C. Averill, Revolution in the Highlands."

8月06日 Illustrated Memory of Hiroshima A-Bombing

August 6, 1945, US aircraft B29 dropped the atomic bomb "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, and therefore changed the thoughts of warfare. Regarding the Kuomintang's attitude toward a-bom, you may refer to our research finding: Chen Yung-fa, "Book Review on Yang Tianshi's Seeking for the True Chiang Kai-shek: Interpreting the Diaries II".

8月07日 The August 7th Conference

August 7, 1927, Chinese Communist Party gathered an emergent central meeting in Hankou, deciding the important guidelines including land revolution and military resistance against Kuomintang. Our viewpoint could be referred by Chak Chi-shing, "The Four-Staged Changes in Relation between the Chinese Communist Party and its Intellectuals, 1921-1949".

8月08日 Stamps issued by the old Tibet

August 8, 1944, Dr. Shen Zonglian, as Director of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission's Office in Tibet, arrived in Lhasa. Shen had academic background and was one of the few people in the Nationalist government who had practical understanding of Tibetan issue. During his residency in Lhasa, the relationship between Nationalist government and Tibet became better. However, Tibet would rather preserved its autonomy and maintained an equal distance from China and Britain. About the sophistication of Tibetan issue around that time, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Jui-te, "A 'Royal' Mission: Shen Zonglian in Tibet, 1943-1946".

8月09日 General Gordon's Last Stand

August 9, 1880, Charles George Gordon, Commander of the "Ever Victorious Army" left China. In 1884 he died in Sudan in a battle. Gordon received the highest military rank of Capital General for his achievements in the Taiping Rebellion. He had also contributed to the Self-strengthening Movement. For the details you may refer to our research finding: Lu Shih-chiang, Ding Richang and Self-strengthening Movement, pp. 41-47.

8月10日 General Zhang Zizhong defeated the Japanese army with "Long Sword Troop" at the battle of Xifengkou

August 10, 1944, the name of Yicheng county in Hubei was changed into Zizhong, in memorial of General Zhang Zizhong who laid down his life to the country. Although General Zhang is famous today for his loyalty, for a certain period of time he was accused as No. 1 Hanjian. Hanjian is a sophisticated issue, about its discussions you may refer to our research findings: Luo Jiu-jung, " Historical Situations and the Emergence of Hanjian during the Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945: the Case of Zhengzhou in 1941"

8月11日 The first batch of boy students abroad

August 11, 1872, the first batch of boy students departed for studying in US. Most of these boys studied practical learning or statecraft, and contributed to the modernization of China. For details you may refer to our database: Qing-era Statecraft Collection.

8月12日 Poster for the Tenth Anniversary of Cultural Revolution

August 12, 1977, the 11th National Congress of the Communist Part of China was held in Beijing, which announced the termination of Cultural Revolution. The revolution is a great disaster. About the interpretation you may refer to our publication: Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik, "Coping with the Cultural Revolution: Contesting Interpretations".

8月13日 The national flag on the Sihang Warehouse in battle

August 13, 1937, Nationalist Army attacked Japanese in Shanghai, the Battle of Shanghai broke out. This battle endured for 3 months, which is one of the bloodiest fights in the Second SIno-Japanese War. For details of the battle, you may refer to our interviews of the participants: Records of Interviews with Mr. Xu Qiming; Records of Interviews with Mr. Lao Shenghuan.

8月14日 How Many Lands have the Russian Bandit Seized from Us?

August 14, 1945, Chinese representative Wang Shijie signed "China-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance in Moscow, recognizing the independence of Outer Mongolia. About this treaty and the issue of Mongolia's independence, you may refer to our digital database "Wang Shijie's Diary" and Lee Yu-shu, On the Withdrawal of Outer Mongolia.

8月15日 The Phonograph Record recording Hirohito's Announcement of Unconditional Surrender

August 15, 1945, Japanese Mikado Hirohito announced the Unconditional Surrender of Japan with broadcast. Broadcast is a powerful media and is broadly used in modern history. About the application of broadcast, you may refer to our research findings: Yu Miin-ling, "Learning from the Soviet Union:Chinese Communist Propagandaand Its Effects".

8月16日 Illustration of the Battles of Pacifying the Nian Bandit

August 16, 1868, Liu Mingchuan and other generals destroyed the Nian Rebellion's last troop in Shandong. The Nian leader Zhang Zongyu drowned in the river and the rebellion was completely pacified. About the history of pacifying the Nian Rebellion, you may refer to our research finding: Lee En-han, "Concerted Campaigns and Factional Conflicts of the Hunan and Anhui Armies, 1865-1868".

8月17日 Logo of Tsing hua College

August 17, 1928, the nationalist government reformed Tsing hua College into Tsing hua University. Tsing hua is an important university for modern advanced education. About the reform and early history of the university, you may refer to our research findings: Su Yun-feng, From Tsing hua Imperial College to Tsing Hua University; and Su Yun-feng, Tsing hua University before the Sino-Japanese War, 1928-1937.

8月18日 Chiang Kai-shek questioning Japanese instructor in Taiwan's elementary textbook

August 18, 1898, the court requested governors of all provinces to select students to study in Japan for future achievements. These students left enormous influences in modern China's politics, military affairs, and culture. For details you may refer to our research findings: Huang Fu-ching, Chinese Students in Japan in Late Qing Period.

8月19日 The Acceptance of Surrender when Qianlong Conquered Yili

August 19, 1881, Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1881) was exchanged in St. Petersburg. Thanks to the efforts of Zeng Jize, the loss in Yili was reduced. Yili occupied a rather important strategic location, Russia also did a lot of works regarding the negotiations. About the Russian documents for this treaty, you may refer to our collected materials: The Russian Documents about the Yili negotiaions.

8月20日 "Bear" on a Pidging English word card

August 20, 1862, Prince Gong proposed the regulation of Tongwenguan (School of Combined Learning) to the court. School of Combined Learning was mainly teaching foreign languages, but also instruct Westren Learning. Studying foreign languages and translation is the foundation of learning from the West, our institute has quite a few studies on these topics, you may refer to: Wang Shu-hwai, "The Unification of Translated Terms in Late Ch'ing Period" and Huang Ko-wu, "Beginning a New Career in Translation: Yan Fu at the Northern Naval College".

8月21日 One of the Lam Qua Portrait left by Peter Parker

August 21, 1857, US embassy Peter Parker left China for US. Parker was originally a medical missionary. Later he helped as the main interpreter of theTreaty of Wanghsia, and gradually became involved in diplomacy. Later he was appointed as US Embassy in China. His situation toward China was the hawks and once proposed the US to occupy Taiwan, on the other hand he cared to heal Chinese patients. The Lam Qua Portraits record the Chinese patients he encounters. These were said to be for raising funds from the philanthropists in US. About the relation between US and Taiwan in the Qing dynasty, you may refer to our research findings: Huang Chia-mo, The United States and Taiwan, 1784-1895.

8月22日 Poster for propagandizing Japan-Korea Annexation

August 22, 1910, Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty became effective, Korea became a part of the Japanese Empire. The ease of annexing Korea also influenced Japan's future policy toward China. About the causation you may refer to our research finding: Huang Tzu-chin, "From '21 Demands' see Yoshino Zakuzo's ideas of Japanese interests in China".

8月23日 A Propaganda sent to Jinmen during the 823 Artillery Bombardment

August 23, 1958, the 823 Artillery Bombardment took place. Within 44 days, Communist army shot 475 thousand artillery shells, but the nationalist army still successfully defended Jinmen. About this important battle, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Su-ya, "The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis and “Return to the Mainland” Propaganda".

8月24日 Poster of "United Nations Fight for Freedom"

August 24, 1945, Chiang Kai-shek ratified the United Nation Charter. China formally became a member of United Nations. About the interactions between Nationalist government and United Nations, you may refer to our interview of General Wen Haxiong, who worked in China's Military General Staff in United Nations: Records of Interviews with Mr. Wen Haxiong.

8月25日 Faked Vietnam King's Audience with the Qianglong Emperor at the Chengde Moutain Resort for Peace

August 25, 1883, Vietnam signed Treaty of Hu e with France, recognized a protectorate over Annen and Tokin and disconnected its traditional links with China. France immediately announced to expel the "Black Flag Army" from Vietnam. About the relations between China and Vietnam in the Late Qing, you may refer to our research findings: Shiu Wen-tang, "Transition in the Diplomatic Relations between the Qing and the Nguyen Dynasties during the Nineteenth Century".

8月26日 Daewongun had an audience with the Korean King

August 26, 1882, the Chinese commissioner Wu Changqing and Ma Jianzhong seized Heungseon Daewongun, Yi Ha-eung in Seoul, and sent him to Tianjin for prison next day. Ma is an important official of foreign affairs as well as a linguist in late Qing. About his ideas of international affairs, you may refer to our research finding: Chen San-ching, "A Brief Introduction of the Diplomatic Thought of Ma Jianzhong".

8月27日 The Daoguang Emperor Imagined by the British

August 27， 1839, Lin Zexu reported his draft of the letter to Queen Victoria as Ultimatum, the Daoguang Emperor approved it and asked Lin to submit as drafted. This letter appealed to rational threats, emphasizing China would cut of the supplies of tealeaves and rhubarb, which Chinese believed British could not live without, if Britain continued selling opium. This was a misunderstanding, however, backing on such false comprehension for certain victory, China eventually lost in the Opium War. For the details you may refer to our research finding: Chang Che-chia, “The Myth of Rhubarb: The Strategic Rationale and Cultural Implications of China's Prohibitions on the Export of Rhubarb to Britain and Russia in the Qing Period".

8月28日 A Cartoon on the Open Door Policy

August 28, 1898, U.S. Secretary of State John Milton Hay proposed the Open Door Policy. This policy's original purpose was to protect U.S. commercial interests in East Asia, but also preserved China from carving up by the Powers. About the Open Door Policy you may refer to our research findings: Wang Kang-ling, "The US Open Policy in the 1911 Republican Revolution", in Collected Articles from the Conference on the 1911 Republican Revolution.

8月29日 Chinese negotiator visit to Hong Kong for exchanging the signed Treaty of Nanking

August 29, 1842, China and Britain signed Treaty of Nanjing. Treaty of Nanjing is a milestone of modern history. There are already fruitful studies from the political aspects. Nowadays scholars developed new approaches to enrich its studies. For example, you may refer to our publication: Uganda Sze Pui Kwan, "Translation and Resolving Conflict: The First Opium War Interpreter of the British Empire, Samuel T. Fearon (1819-1854)".

8月30日 "Irohamaru" taken by Sakamoto Ryoma. When the boat was smashed by a larger boat, Ryoma used Martin's International Law as his base to win the compensation.

August 30, 1864, the Court permitted to have International Law translated by William Alexander Parsons Martin to be published. In the beginning, many basic ideas in the judicial system were slim in China, it took time to build up. For example, about the process of establishing the essential concept of "rights", you may refer to our publication: Jin Guantao and Liu Qingfeng, "Evolution of the Concept of "quanli"(rights) in Modern China - From Late Qing to La Jeunesse".

8月31日 Chen Duxiu and the editors of New Youth

August 31, 1945, the political position of New Youth changed. Chen Duxiu started expressing his insistence upon communism. About the ideas of the journal, you may refer to our research findings: Chang Yu-fa, "The Ways of Dealing with News and Press Opinions in the New Culture Movement Period, 1915-1923".

9月01日 Wang Yiting's Painting

September 1, 1923, the Great Tokyo Earthquake caused great suffering. Wang Yiting, a Shanghai merchant, painter, and philanthropist, strived to appeal to relieve the people in disaster. Japanese thus called him "Bodhisattva Wang". From here we could see the private friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people contrast to the political tension. For details you may refer to our research finding: Paul Katz, "The Religious Life of a Famous Shanghai Merchant and Philanthropist, Wang Yiting" （as a paper in Wu Jen-shu, Paul Katz, and Lin May-li, eds., The City and Chinese Modernity).

9月02日 US Poster on the Victory over Japan in the WWII

September 2, 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies and US on board USS Missouri, marking the close of WWII. General Xu Yongchang, representative of Republic China of the Allies, witnessed this historical moment. For details of the scene you may refer to our digital database: Xu Yongchang Diary.

9月03日 Bear Mandarin Square for the Fifth Rank Officer

September 3, 1886, the court ordered to update the Great Qing huidian. Huidian is a traditional style official collections of codes of laws and institutions. It is an essential source for understand the principles of the institutions and bureaucracy, as for the practical functions it requires other materials to compensate. About the personnel affairs, our research finding: Wei Xiumei, Tables of Official Titles in the Late Qing Period and its index in our Full Text Database serve as very important reference:

9月04日 Robert Morrison and Chinese helpers translating the Bible. Liang (A)fa is the person sitting in the left

September 4, 1832, Missionary Robert Morrison reported to the society that Liang (A)fa's The Benevolent Words to Advise the World was published. Liang is the first Chinese pastor and the first Chinese journalist. He helped Morrison to translate the Bible and to compile the earliest Chinese-English dictionaries. He published several journals and pamphlets to advocate Christianity. For example, The Benevolent Words to Advise the World later stimulated Hong Xiuquan to launch the Taiping Rebellion. About the missionary's education and publication in China, you may refer to our research finding: Wang Shu-huai, "Christian Educational Associations and their publishing businesses".

9月05日 Poster: The Brightness of the Sun Defeated the Gloomy Bears

September 5, 1905, Japan and Russia signed Treaty of Portsmouth. The Russian-Japanese War came to an end. Russia passed all the rights of the Southern Manchuria to Japan. The influential spheres in Manchuria were thus redefined. About Japan's further plotting in Manchuria from then on, you may refer to our research finding: Lin Min-teh, "Japanese Expansion in Manchuria after the Russo-Japanese War"

9月06日 Japanese Army Seized Vladivostok

September 6, 1918, Chinese government signed on the Mutual Defense Agreement of Sino-Japanese Armies, arranging to send troops to Siberia in order to echo to the changing situation after the fall of the Russian Empire. For details you may refer to our published historical sources: Historical Materials on Sino-Russian Relations：The Siberian Expedition(1917-1919).

9月07日 Li Hongzhang Signing the Peace Treaty with the Great Powers

September 7, 1901, the Qing Empire signed the Boxer Protocol with the Allien of Eight Nations. The Great Powers had considered Empress Dowager Cixi to be the No. 1 war criminal. However, through Li Hongzhang's efforts, Cixi was waived in the Protocol. Even though, Her war responsibilities still exist in Chinese common people's historical memories. For details you may refer to our research finding: Wong Young-tsu, "Memory and History: A Case Study of the Empress Dowager Cixi".

9月08日 Nazi German V-2 Rocket attacking London

September 8, 1944, the German secret weapon V-2 Rocket first attacked London and caused serious damages. This new weapon did not save Nazi from destruction though, it marks a milestone for military type as well as aerospace expedition of the human beings. About the rocket technology's development, you may refer to our publication: A Life in Study: The memoirs of Han Kwangwei, Academicians’ memoirs Series.

9月09日 Okamura Yasuji, Japanese commander-in-chief in China, surrendered to China

September 9, 1945, Japan formally surrendered to China. Chiang decided to renounce the right to ask compensation from Japan. His policy considerations are analyzed by our research finding: Huang Tzu-chin, “Chiang Kai-shek in the East Asia: The Origins of the Policy of Magnanimity toward Japan after World War II”.

9月10日 Yanghui Hall, the original site of Liu Rong's "On Habits"

September 10, 1866, Liu Rong, general of the Xiang Army, was dismissed from the post of Shaanxi Governor. Liu Rong is an important New-Confucian scholar, Tongcheng school writer, and Zeng Guofan's close friend. His "On Habit" illuminates the importance of the starting stage of learning. It is still a prevailing essay to the contemporary reader. About Liu's life, you may refer to our research finding: Wei Hsiu-mei, A Chronological Biography of Liu Jung.

9月11日 River Magpie" was domestically refitted from the British-made aircraft "Xiamen"

September 11, 1933, Chen Wenlin from Xiamen Naval Air Force drove airplane "River Magpie" from Xiamen to Nanjing, as the start of his nationwide flight, which was unprecedented. About the early stage of China's aviation, you may refer to our research finding: Chen Tsun-kung, "The Early Growth of the Chinese Aviation(1906~1929)".

9月12日 Cixi and the Tongzhi Emperor Playing Go

September 12, 1869, Ding Baozhen, Governor of Shandong, executed An Dehai, a powerful eunuch who violating the prohibition of leaving the Capital. It is generally believed that this event was a result of political wrestles between Cixi and her son the Tongzhi emperor. However, Cixi did not revenge Ding. Instead, she promoted him to the General Governor of Sichuan later. About Ding's achievements in Sichuan, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Chiu-wen, "Ding Baozhen's Management of Tibetian Affairs during His Office as Governor-General of Sichuan".

9月13日 A Qing clocked in the shape of Japanese styled roof

September 13, 1871, Sino-Japanese Friendship and Trade Treaty was signed in Tianjin. This treaty officially resumed the two countries trade though, actually during the Edo locking-state period, commodities had kept on exchanging. A few Japanese products were welcomed in the Qing market and even the palace, such as lacquer ware and iron ware. For details, you may refer to our research finding: Lai Hui-min, "Japanese Products and Everyday Life in Suzhou, 1736-1795".

9月14日 The Banners Celebrating the New Year

September 14, 1898, the Qing court released the rule of prohibiting the Banners from running business. Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, it had been regulated that the banners could only serve the court or army. They were neither necessary nor allowed to make their own livings. The state would supplied their livelihood. However, along with the decline of the state's finance, the policy was modified. This modification also marks changes of ethnical relations. For more in-depth analysis you may refer to our research finding: Lai Hui-min, “An Iron Rice Bowl? The Households and Livelihoods of Sin Jeku Jetere Aha in the Imperial Household Department in Late Imperial China”.

9月15日 Locomotive of Taiwan's Sugar Railways in the Early Twentieth Century

September 15, 1907, the first sugar railway started transportation services. Sugar used to be a crucial industry in Taiwan. The construction of sugar railway suggests its importance in Taiwan's economy. Along with the building of the railway, the ways of movements of people as well as things changed, accordingly further stimulated Taiwan's vitality. For more advanced study of sugar and other economic plants' role in Taiwan's economy, you may refer to our research finding: Lin Man-houng, The industries of tea, sugar, and camphor and socio-economic change of Taiwan, (1860-1895).

9月16日 Lawyer's License issued in 1913

September 16, 1912, "Temporary Statutes for Lawyers" was announced. Only the excption of Cao Rulin, who worked in the President's office in Beijing, won the no. 1, all the lawyer's licenses were issues after this date. The rise of lawyers marks a milestone of China's advancement toward Western styled law-governed state. For more in-depth analysis, you may refer to our research finding: Sun Hui-min: Institutional Transplantation: The Chinese Lawyers in Republican Shanghai(1912-1937)

9月17日 Chinese Communist's Propaganda Illustration: Great Consolidation of Various Ethnical Groups in China

September 17, 1928, the nationalist government declared to establish provinces in Inner Mongolia and Tibet regions' Rehe, Chahar, Suiyuan, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Xikang. Originally the Chinese revolution announced to "expel the barbarians and restore China", but later the slogan turned out to become "Five Races under One Union". How to succeed the multi-ethnical heritage left by the Qing Empire became an important issue to the later Chinese governments. The establishment of these provinces was one of the nationalist government's relavant efforts, however, it did not effect until the PRC. For more in-depth analysis about this issue, you may refer to our research finding: Wu Zhe, "Ethnic Autonomy versus Centralization —How Beijing Integrated “Regional National Autonomy” into the State in the 1950s ".

9月18日 Postcard about Mukden Incident

September 18, 1931, Japanese army claimed that Chinese army destroyed a section of the Southern Manchurian Railway, then attacked the Northern camp in Mukden and after all occupied the whole Manchuria within a short time. This incident agitated the Sino-Japanese relations and made the Japanese Eagle wing to have a better position, finally lead to the Second Sino-Japanese War. About the details you may refer to our oral history: Records of interviews with Mr. Wang Tiehan.

9月19日 CDL member's painting

September 19, 1944, China Democratic League was established in Chongqing. CDL is an active political party rising in the Sino-Japanese War period. It played a crucial role in the Nationalist-Communist conflicts, and still a party in PRC. Regarding a more in-depth analysis of its role in the Nationalist-Communist negotiations, you may refer to our research finding: Chen Yi-shen, "Liberalism under the Kuomintang-Communist Conflict, 1941-1949".

9月20日 Wang Xiang was extremely filial, and when he grew up he became a prime minister to rule the state

September 20, 1912, Yuan Shikai, ruler of China then, announced that the whole state should respect Confucianism, and followed Confucian morals such as filial piety. Filial Piety has been considered the foundation for individual as well as ruling the state. To explore more about this cultural phenomenon, you may refer to our research finding: Lu Miaw-fen, Ruling All under Heaven with Filial Piety：The Xiaojing in Late Imperial China.

9月21日 What the Guangxu Emperor could do was to write down his illnesses

September 21, 1898, a coup d'Etat took place, Empress Dowager Cixi prisoned the Guangxu Emperor at Yingtai and seized the power. The emperor's reforms were almost completely abolished. Despite it was broadly believed the cause of the coup d'Etat was Yuan Shikai revealed the emperor's conspiracy to confine the empress dowager leniently, it was true that the emperor's new policies were too close to the foreigners, which alarmed the conservative wing. For a more in-depth analysis regarding the reform and foreigners, you may refer to our research finding: Wang Shu-hwai, Foreigners and the Wu-hsu Reform Movement.

9月22日 Illustration for introducing parliament of the world

September 22, 1910, the court announced the detailed regulations of Consulting Yuan. Consulting Yuan was a preparatory institute for future parliament in the late Qing constitutional reform movements. However, for various reasons, the parliament did not commence until the Republican period. For a more in-depth analysis you may refer to our research finding: Chang Yu-fa, Constitutionalists of the Late Ch’ing Period: An Analysis of Groups in the Constitutional Movement, 1895-1911.

9月23日 Li Hongzhang visited Hogan's Alley in 1896

September 23, 1884, Li Hongzhang was granted the post of Grand Secretariat, Governor-in-general of Zhili, and Minister of Northern Ocean. This is the peak of Li's fame and power. Li was the most internationally well-known Chinese figure in Late Qing. He was praised by Stephen Grover Cleveland, President of United States, as one of the four greatest men in the world. He also had deep influences on China's diplomacy. About his diplomatic thoughts and practices, our institute has refined case studies: Wang Si, Li Hongzhang and Sino-Japanese Treaties.

9月24日 Buddhist monks also joined the battle filed nursing services of the Red Cross

September 24, 1914, "Statute of Red Cross (in China" was issued. Red Cross is a worldwide humane organization. China also joined it in late Qing. Red Cross contributed to the injured soldiers in various battle fileds in the twentieth century. About its role in the Sino-Japanese War, you may refer to our publication: Chang Chien-chiu, "The Field First Aid System during the Sino-Japanese War ── The Medical Relief Corps of the China Red Cross".

9月25日 Vietnam in Japan's ideal landscape of "Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere"

September 25, 1940, Japanese army took Lang Son. Ten months later, France acknowledged Japan's military control of Vietnam. This military action was not only for cutting off Nationalist government's oversea connections, but also grasping the rich natural resources in Southeast Asia. It was a part of Japan's design of "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere". About the wrestling among China, Japan, and France in Vietnam during the WII, you may refer to our research finding: Shiu Wentang, "Negotiations and Conflicts over Vietnam among China, France and Japan during the Second World War".

9月26日 Chinese image recorded by Macartney Embassy

September 26, 1792, Marcartney Embassy launched its journey to China. This is the earliest embassy between China and Britain in the modern history. However, the Qianlong Emperor still considered Britain as barbarian. His arrogance aroused the delegation's animosity, such as George Thomas Staunton. He later promoted to declare war toward China. About the up-to-date research about the Sino-Britain relationship before the Opium war, you may refer to our publication: Yu Po-ching‧Huang Yi-long, "Heavenly Dynasty and Men from Afar: George Thomas Staunton and Anglo-Chinese Relations, 1793-1840".

9月27日 China fought with France in front of the Fuzhou dock

September 27, 1867, the Fuzhou dock was established. This is the first as well as largest new-styled dock in the Qing Dynasty. Its related naval school educated many persons with abilities in the modern history. It was founded by Zuo Zongtang, and was a representative institution in the self-strengthening movement. About Zuo's contribution to the movement, you may refer to our research finding: Lee En－han，“Tso Tsung-t'ang's View on Statecraft”.

9月28日 The Kangxi Emperor's Sacred Edict

September 28, 1799, the court ordered the provinces to preach The Sacred Edict on the Civilian Teachings. The Sacred Edict on the Civilian Teachings was formally issued by the emperor, so as to teach the people what the normal of righteous behavior was. However, it was not only a teaching from the government to people, practically, when local gentry protested, they would utilize The Sacred Edict on the Civilian Teachings as a tool for their negotiations with the government. For more in-depth analysis, you may refer to our research finding: Han Seunghyun‧Liao Jenn-wang, trans.， “Protest under “Rule by Culture”: The 1799 Suzhou Literati Protest and the Imperial Response”.

9月29日 Custom Duty's Independency Issue in Elementary school's textbook

September 29, 1928, Ministry of Diplomacy claimed that from next year on, China could decide its custom duty. Since the opium war, China lost its right to manage custom duty and thus caused serious loss in trade. The relevant research you may refer to our publication: Tang Chi-hua, “The I.G. in the Peiyang Period: A Preliminary Study of Francis Aglen”。

9月30日 The site of the battlefield of Pingxing pass

September 30, 1937, the battle of Pingxing Pass came to an end. PRC history highly advocates this battle as "Great Victory of Pingxing Pass" and was the most important victory during the Sino-Japanese War. Through analyzing the formation of this historical image, it would help to understand the nature of PRC's discourse. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chak Shi-shing, "Collective Memory vs. Historical Truth:The Construction of the So-Called Great Victory at Pingxing Gate and Its Later Deconstruction".

10月01日 Founding Ceremony of PRC

October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong claimed the founding of PRC. The Divided rule across the Taiwan Straits formally took shape. The modern history thus advanced to a new stage. About the newest studies of this period, you may refer to our research finding: Yu Miin-ling ed., Divided Rule across the Taiwan Straits: Educational Reorganization, Visual Propaganda, and Ethnic Politics.

10月02日中華民國拒毒會第四度舉辦「全國拒毒運動週」活動

1927年10月2日，中華民國拒毒會第四度舉辦「全國拒毒運動週」活動。關於近代中國鴉片烟毒屢禁不絕的現象，請參考本所研究成果：陳永發，〈紅太陽下的罌粟花：鴉片貿易與延安模式〉，《新史學》，1卷4期，1990年12月，頁41-117。

10月03日 Late Qing police uniforms

October 3, 1908, police school was established. About the early situation of the police system you may refer to our oral interviews: Records of Interviews with Mr. Chen Meiquan.

10月04日 Marshal Cen led to recover Beijing in the night

October 4, 1884, the court pushed Cen Yuying to join the anti-French war in North Vietnam. After the Taiping Rebellion, governors had greater power and independency. Even in wars they might not lessen to the court, and have their own judgments about diplomacy and warfares. More than Cen Yuying, Zhang Zhidong was a representative. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lee Kuo-chi, Chang Chih-tung's Foreign Policy.

10月05日 A late Qing battle ship which cruised the Southern China Sea to confirm China's sovereignty

October 5, 1909, Governor in general of Canton and Guangxi, Yuan Shuxun, signed an agreement with Japan about the sovereignty of the Dongsha island. Modern China lost territories one after another, however, the Southern China Sea islands are the few that China confirmed its sovereignty over international treaties. Yuan had been posted governors over several provinces. His family reserved letters from famous figures in the modern history, which had importance as history as well as art. The institute not only published the hard copy of the book, but also made database and e-book for public viewing: E-Book

10月06日 Haiyan Hall, Yuanming Garden, which used to be equipped with 12 animal's head water clock

October 6, 1860, British-French joint troop defeated the Qing army at the northwest suburb of Beijing. Then French people took Yuanming garden and started violent rubbery and destructions. Yuanming garden is the most symbolic garden in the Qing history. Its rapture marks deeply in Chinese historical memory. About the history of the garden, you may refer to a report of our research finding: Wang Jung-tzu, "Qing Emperor's Paradise and Lost Paradise", in Hsiung Ping-chen and Lu Miaw-fen, Neo-Confucian Orthodoxy and Human Desires: Post / Modernity in Late Imperial Chinese Culture.

10月07日 Pond Salt manufacture in traditional China

October 7, 1911, the court promote the office of salt administration to Ministry, and appointed Minister of Finance to take charge of it. Salt administration used to be an essential issue in traditional economy. From the ancient time salt had been listed as the state's monopoly business. About the research on salt administration in traditional China, please refer to our research finding: Yang Jeou-yi, "Defining Features of the Qing Salt Monopoly: An Institutional Analysis".

10月08日 Triple Intervention

October 8, 1895, under the pressure of Russia, Germany, and France, Japan was forced to sell the Liaodong Penisula back to China. This event humiliated Japan, and also pushed Russia and Germany to accelerate their aggressive actions toward China. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lee Kuo-chi, “Sino-German Negotiations on the Lease of Harbors after the Return of Liaotung Peninsula and G. Detring's Recommendations to the German Government”。

10月09日 Inside of the Wenyuan Cabinet that preserved one of the 7 copies of Siku quanshu

October 9, 1920, Zhu Qiqian was appointed to be in charge of the affair of printing Siku quanshu (Complete Books of Four Treasures). It is broadly known that the compilation of the set was important to history of books, however, its printing in the modern period had further implications in identity and cultural politics. About this point, one of our research findings has an innovative exploration. For details, see : Lin Chih-hung, "Old Documents, New Identities: The Siku Quanshu and Cultural Politics in Republican China".

10月10日 Great People's Portraits in the 1911 Revolution

October 10, 1911, Xinhai Revolution broke up in Wuchang. This event eventually ceased the Qing Empire and establish Republic of China. Our institute's research finding about the Xinhai revolution, could be detailed in Collected Articles from the Conference on the 1911 Republican Revolution.

10月11日 The Site of Qingguo Well in Keelung, the earliest mine to use machine

October 11, 1876, Taiwan's Keelung coal started using machine for mining. The history of Taiwan's coal mining is an example of modernization in the contexts of mutual accommodation between the traditional society and modern technology, in the great background of Western powers' interventions. About a detailed analysis of this example you may refer to our research finding: Huang Chia-mu, Coal in Taiwan before the Sino-Japanese War.

10月12日 A bill marked with the Yellow Emperor Era's date (1911)

October 12, 1911, the revolutionary government proclaimed to adopt the Yellow Emperor Era. As well-known today, the Yellow Emperor is the common ancestor of the Chinese folks. However, the ideas of "Chinese folks" is a constructed result of the modern imagination. About the in-depth discussions of this issue, you may refer to our research finding: Shen Sung-chiao, "Imagine China: Construction of the Genealogies of Chinese “National Heroes” in Late Qing".

10月13日 Illustration to introduce Wurtemberg Bundesrat in Germany

October 13, 1909, because the provincial council was about to open, the Qing court officially instructed governors and future representatives. The constitutional ideas prevailed in late Qing. However, China had no experiences in this political system at all, no matter the central or provincial level. Later, the provincial council even became an important force to support revolution to revolve the Qing dynasty. About the relation between the constitutionalist and revolutionist, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Peng-yuan, Constitutionalists and the Revolution of 1911 in China.

10月14日 Shi Jianqiao's leaflet delivered at the crime scene

October 14, 1936, Nationalist government granted amnesty to Shi Jianqiao, a crime committed suicide to revenge Sun Chuanfang for her father's death. Should this kind of deeds be treated as a filial behavior, or an unlawful violence? Such issue had been discussed in China for over thousand years. However, the public opinions of the new society in the 20th century gave this ancient issues some new meanings. For details, you may refer to a published research results out of our international conference: Eugenia Lean, "Public Virtue or Private Revenge: the National Politics of "Emotion" in 1930s China".

10月15日 modern illustration of Shaolin kun fu

October 15, 1928, the organization of national martial arts had an examination in Nanjing. Such as national essence, national learning, or national music, "national martial arts' is a new term coined in the modern period. Beforehand the Chinese martial arts were not particularly distinct from foreign country and had deep relationships with religions. But from this time on, martial arts started to dispatched from religion and started to combine with 'nation'. For relavant analysis you may refer to our publication: Vincent Goossaert, "State and Religion in Modern China: Religious Policies and Scholarly Paradigms".

10月16日 Memorial Medal of the Academy of Practicing Revolution

October 16, 1949, Academy of Revolutionary Practices was established in Taipei. Chiang Kai-shek was its president. The purpose of this academy was to review the reasons of KMT's failures in mainland China, and train leaders for future revolutions. For details you may refer to our interview of its publication: Records of interviews with Mr. Huang Tong.

10月17日 A page of British Archives on Kidnapped in London

October 17, 1896, Sun Yat-sen successfully had his seeking help letter to be delivered to his teacher James Cantile, and got saved for this reason. This is the well-known episode of "Kidnapped in London". Cantlie taught Sun at Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese. Later his son served as navel officers and continued to have connections with China. For details you may refer to p. 47 of our oral history: Records of interviews with Mr. Zheng Tianjie.

10月18日 A private coin in the Qing dynasty

October 18, 1836, the court accepted Dong Zongyuan's suggestion, announced to prohibit private minting coins. Money's role in economic activities is essential and complicated. Each policy may bring bad or good to different industry or area, and it needs to adjustments based on needs from time to time. About a case study of changing monetary policy, you may refer to our research finding: Chu Hong-yuan, "The Monetary Transformation of Modern Kwangsi, 1662-1937".

10月19日 A building of Moscow Sun Yat-sen University's house

October 19, 1925, Chiang Ching-kuo, Chiang Kai-shek's eldest son, went to Moscow Sun Yat-sen University. The purpose of this university was to train future leaders for communist revolutions in China. At that time KMT and Communist party was in cooperation, thus quite a few KMT important figures' sons were selected to be its students, such as Chiang Ching-kuo. Besides, some communist leaders, such as Deng Xiaoping, also received education at this university. About its courses and political life in Moscow Sun Yat-sen University, you may refer to our research finding: Yu Miin-ling, "Chiang Ching-kuo as foreign student in the Russian Archives", and our oral history of its graduate: Records of interviews with Mr. Bai Yu

10月20日 "Mermaid", Advertising Poster by Shouhe.

October 20, 1933, the Fifth national games came to an end. Yang Xiuqiong, a representative of Hong kong, won all the five golden medals of female swimming. This news called intensive attentions and her nickname "mermaid" became popular immediately. Yang led a fashion of "swim fever" among cosmopolitan young women. Painters of advertising posters began to depict women in swimming suits. The popularity of physical education for girls became a new trend in the modern time. For details you may refer to our research finding: Yu Chien-ming, On and Off the Playing Fields：A Modern History of Physical Education for Girls in Eastern China（1895-1937）.

10月21日 General Liu Yongfu captured the Japanese Governor Kabayama Sukenori

October 21, 1895, Republic of Formosa was destroyed by Japan. Japanese army defeated the Qing troops easily in North Taiwan, but encountered difficulties in the South. The reason was the Southern defense troops were mainly organized by the local defense volunteers and they were tough in the war. When Japan settled Taiwan, the colonial government adopted the existent social organization "pao-chia" system to eliminate the potential anti-Japanese arms, as well as utilized it as an effective tool of ruling. For details you may refer to our research finding: Hung Chiu-fen, "The Pao-chia System in Taiwan, 1895-1903".

10月22日 An illustrated report of famine in late Qing

October 22, 1933, Conference of Food was opened in Nanjing. Food is an essential issue of economy. The population of China grew nearly 4 times from 17th to 20th century; in other words, agriculture also grew so that such population could be supported. On the other hand, famine happened from time to time, which is also an important issue for the government to solve. About the growth and challenge of modern agriculture, you may refer to our research finding: Wang Yeh-chien, "Agricultural Development and Its Crisis in Modern China". Furthermore, Wang also made a database on the grain price in the Qing dynasty for academic use, which could also be found in our website.

10月23日 The Xi'an Manchurian castle which was about to fall

October 23, 1911, revolutionary army captured the Manchu castle of Xi'an. The Manchurian victims' number was up to 2,000 (another source says 5,000). The racial conflicts between Manchurian and Han came to a peak in the Xinhai revolutions. Many Manchurians changed their names as a Han Chinese to protect themselves. About the assimilation of Manchurians, there are still many aspects worth researching. About its current advancement, you may refer to our research finding: Yeh Kao-shu, "Several Questions on the Study of Manchu Sinicization ".

10月24日 Tianjin concession

October 24, 1860, Sino-British Treaty of Beijing was signed. Part of Kowlong was ceded to Britain. Tianjin was opened as treaty port and a new custom was established. About the situation of Tianjin concession in the Late Qing, you may refer to our publication: Leung Yuen-sang, "The Two Intendants in Late Qing Tianjin: Tianjin Dao and Jin Haiguan Dao".

10月25日 A piece of archives about Science Society of China

October 25, 1915, Science Society of China was founded. Ren Hongjun was its first director. Science Society of China had a great influences in the development of science in China. Later its members formed the main body of Academia Sinica. About Ren's contribution to Chinese science, you may refer to our research finding: Yang Tsui-hua, "Zen Hung-chun and Modern Science in China".

10月26日 The Hejian Great Military Drill

October 26, 1905, the Hejian Military Drill was finished with perfect ending. This is Chinese army's first great scale military drill after the Eight Nation Alliance. Foreign media highly evaluated this drill. However, from the drill Manchurian elites was too impressed with the power of the Beiyang Army to waive the apprehension toward Yuan Shikai. Thus the drill also agitated the conflicts within the late Qing court. For details of the New Army, you may refer to our research finding: Liu Feng-han, "The Organization and Transformation of Military Command in the Late Ch'ing Period".

10月27日 A page from textbook in the Republican Age

October 27, 1931, the national counsel decided to have National Institute of Compilation and Translation established. National Institute of Compilation and Translation played an important role in the compilations of the texbook, while textbook is an essential media to shape moder state and provide education of modern knowledge. Historians of various countries are all paying great attentions to the issue. The relavant researches about China, you may refer to our research finding: Peter Zarrow, "Enlightening 'New Histography', the history textbook in the transition period", in Wang Fan-sen ed. The Transition Period in the Modern Chinese Intellectual History: Essays for Professor Zhang Hao's 70th Birthday; "Robert Culp, Articulating Citizenship: Civic Education and Student Politics in Southeastern China, 1912-1940."

10月28日 Passport issued by Qing's Embassy in Germany

October 28, 1876, the Zongli yamen formulated the regulations of embassy. This is the starting point for China to have embassies in foreign countries. China's diplomatic history comes to a new era. Embassies played active roles in negotiation, overseas Chinese affairs, and information collections. About the messages back and forth between Beijing and embassies, you may refer to our compiled materials: Diplomatic correspondence of the Qing Dynasty.

10月29日 The bear market shook the Wall Street

October 29, 1929， the Wall Street Stock market collapsed. This day is considered by many economic historians as the start of world great depression. The financial market, various industries decayed, consequently employment caused serious social panic, and also brought impacts on global politics. About the Great Depression's influences on China, you may refer to our research finding: Lee Yu-ping, "An Analysis of Three Different Views on China Depression in Nineteen Thirties".

10月30日 Pictorial Biography of Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek

October 30, 1911, Chiang Kai-shek returned from Japan to Shanghai to join the revolution. Chiang is one of the most important figures in China's modern history. Researches about him are always flourishing. Researchers in our institute organized a research group for his studies. One of their research findings is: Huang Tzu-chin, "The Early Revolutionary Activities of Chiang Kai-shek, 1906-1924". ( Chiang Kai-shek Research Group)

10月31日 Illustration about the Settlement about the Mudan Incident

October 31, 1874, Qing and Japan signed the "Beijing Special Treaty about the Taiwan Incident" to settle the quarrels caused by the Mudan Incident. Japanese claimed that this treaty acknowledged Japanese expedition is a "righteous action for protection the people", thus Ryukyu is Japan's territory; whereas China claimed that the "people" here only refer to the drifters from Okayama; Ryukyu was still a member of China's tribute system. Anyhow this was Japan's first overseas expedition since the Meiji restoration; and the result positively back up the Eagle Wing. For details you may refer to a paper in our Bulletin: Chen Zai-zheng, "Formosa Incident of 1874: The Ensuing Sino-Japanese Nagotiation and Its Rehabilitation".

11月01日 Sheng Xuanhuai's letter to Yuan Shuxun

November 1, 1896, Sheng Xuanhuai reported his opinions about self-strengthening. He emphasized that the priority should be set at military training, finance, and education. Also he suggested to establish banks. Sheng has great contributions in various aspects in industries. The institute collected drafts of his telegrams for the references of readers interested in history: Sheng Xuanhai’s industry correspondence.

11月02日 Coin of the Qixiang reign

November 2, 1861, Xinyou Coup d'état took place. Empress Dowager Cixi cooperated with Prince Gong to arrest Sushun who seized power at the Xianfeng Emperor's will. The reign name "Qixiang" given by Sushun was changed to "Tongzhi". This is a milestone in late Qing history. The Daoguang Emperor decided to appoint the Xianfeng Emperor and Prince Gong at one decree. He had deep implication by this action For details you may refer to our research finding: Chin Cheng-i, "Investiture of Yixin as Prince Kung".

11月03日 Dalai XIII had an audience of Empress Dowager Cixi and the Guangxu Emperor

November 3, 1908, the Qing court granted the visiting Dalai XIII with a special honored title, and urged him to go home immediately. As a multi-ethical empire, Qing utilized Tantrist Buddhism to maintain its relationship with Mongolia and Tibet. The connections could be traced back before ruling China. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Wang Jun-zhong, "The Relationship between"Manchu" and "Manjusri" and A Discussion of "Leaders" and "Bodhisattvas" in the Tibetan Politico-Religious History".

11月04日 The legal bill issued by the central bank

November 4, 1935, foreign banks in Shanghai started following the legal bill policy. The monetary system was in turmoil since late Qing. After 1918, due to the great depression and the changes of Silver standard, China's government pushed the reform of legal bill. This is a milestone in the Chinese monetary history. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lee Yu-ping, "The Relief of Depression and the Formation of Fapi Policy(1932-1935): The Views of Monetary Reform and Trade Balance Approaches"; Lin May-li, ”The Problem of Unequal Rate of Exchange between Different Denominations of Fapi during the Resistance War Against Japan: A case Study of China's Wartime Issuance of Legal Tender and Inflation“.

11月05日 The Nationalist Tank Panzer I Asuf made in Germany

Oscar Paul Trautmann visited Chiang Kai-shek trying to arbitrate between China and Japan's military condition. From 1928 to 1937, China made efforts to reform the military institution. Germany was one of the most important model to follow. However, along with the closer relationship between Germany and Japan, China eventually broke up with Nazi Germany. For further information about the German Military Advisers Corps in China, you may refer to a paper in our Bulletin: Ma Wen-ying, "The German Military Advisers Corps and the Development of the Sino-German Armament Trade".

11月06日 Matchbox referring Anglo-Japanese Alliance

November 6, 1901, Britain propose the draft of Anglo-Japanese Alliance to Japan, based on its interests in Far East. Not long after the establishment of the alliance, Russo-Japanese War broke up. After the First War War, US considered the alliance as the greatest obstacle of its power in Far East, thus urged Britain to discontinue the alliance. From then on, Britain's China policy advanced to a new stage. Regarding the Sino-British diplomacy in the post- Anglo-Japanese Alliance period, you may refer to our research finding: LÜ Fangshang, "England's Reinforcement of Shanghai during the Northern Expedition and the Evolution of its China Policy".

11月07日 ‘Kings’ of US, Russia, Japan, and Korea came to greet Empress Dowager Cixi's Birthday

November 7, 1894, Empress Dowager Cixi held her 60th Birthday party. From the Tongzhi reign on, Cixi became the highest ruler in China. Later, the Guangxu and Xuantong Emperor was chosen because of their additional kinship with Cixi. So did other powerful vessels such as Prince Qing. In other words, Cixi's family had important status in late Qing politics. However, there were many rumors about Cixi's family relationship. For this reason, our research finding clarifies the truth. Please refer to: Robert C. I. King, "The family of the Empress Dowager Cixi".

11月08日 Cover of the first issue of Xinmin congbao

November 8, 1908, Xinmin congkan stopped issuing. Xinmin congbao was created by Liang Qichao when he went into exile in Japan. With this media Liang advocated progressive thoughts. Many of his works were published here. Xinmin congbao thus has essential status in modern Chinese history. About Xinmin congbao's influence, you may refer to our research finding: Huang Ko-wu, The Rejected Path: A Study of Liang Ch’i-Ch’ao’s Accommodative Thinking.

11月09日 Declaration of the Military government

November 9, 1920, Sun Yat-sen explained the meaning of "pre-Constitutional government". "pre-Constitutional government" is an idea invented by Sun Yat-sen as a preparatory stage of Constitutional government. Between 1928 and 1947, the idea prevailed in China and brought certain influences. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chu Hong-yuan, "National Salvation-cum-Enlightenment: the Thought of Lei Pei-hung on Universal Education".

11月10日 List of successful candidates in 1868

November 10, 1854, Taiping Heavenly Kingdom held "Heavenly Examination". Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had many criticisms toward Chinese culture, however, it immediately accepted the civil examination system. Civil examination system is already abolished though, its influences are still visible in many aspects in Chinese society and culture. Regarding civil examination's history, you may refer to our Bulletin: "From Civil Service Examinations to New Schools: Ts’e Lun and Knowledge Transformation in the Late Ch’ing Period, 1901-1905".

11月11日 Great Powers competed for victory during the WWI

11:11, November 11, 1918, WWI formally came to an end. The main battle fields were in European continent though, its influences are worldwide. China also sent considerable amount of Chinese labors to participate the war. Some of these labors played active roles in modern history. Regarding Chinese workers in European war, you may refer to our research finding: Chen San-ching, Chinese Labor Force in the First World War.

11月12日 Plutus sets up a hall of beauties

November 12 1874, Zuo Zongtang reported that thanks to the help of Hu Guangyong, the financial problems for pacifying the western rebellions was supported. In the late Qing, the financial situation of central government was tight and local governors had to find their own financial sources. In fact, before the Taiping rebellion this situations already existed. Local officials set up "lougui (ugly regulations" to get money. It became a serious problems since the late Qing period. About the details of "lougui", you may refer to our bulletin: Zhou Jian, "Lougui and Local Government Finance in the Early Nineteenth Century: Seen in the Lougui Investigation of 1820".

11月13日 Poster of the "Great Leap Forward" Movement

November 13, 1957, People's Daily publicized an editorial, which first mentioned the slogan of "Great Leap Forward". This socialist construction movement intended to achieve leap forward in industry and agriculture within a brief time. But merely in 3 years, the movement gradually came to an end due to disasters such as national famine. This movement also evoked the debates of policy lines in the Communist party, and eventually led to the cultural revolution in 1966. Regarding the details of the "Great Leap Forward", you may refer to our research finding: Chen Yung-fa, "Anti-Corruption and State-Making in Modern China: Thinking through Moral Discourse with Patricia Thornton".

11月14日 Main Entrance of Nan Yang Public School

November 14, 1902, a student strike aroused in the Nan Yang Public School due to prohibition of reading. The school was established by Sheng Xuanhuai for the purpose of educating leaders in industry and business. It later transformed into the Chiao Tung University. About the achievements of its graduates, for example, in railway, you may refer to our oral history: Records of Interviews with Mr. Ling Hongxun.

11月15日 Li Hongzhang's Huai Army recovered Suzhou

November 15, 1864, Li Hongzhang came to Nanking. Zeng Guofan discussed with him about the plan to dismiss the Xiang Army and replace it with Li's Huai Army. From then on the Huai Army became the main force of the Qing Empire until the defeat of First Sino-Japanese War. Even though, the later influential Beiyang Army was still constructed based on the personnels of the Huai Army. It enjoyed an essential role in late Qing and early Republican history. About its history, you may refer to our research finding: Wang Erh-min, A History of the Huai Army.

11月16日 ROC Navy Flagship "Danyang"

November 16, 1966, the ROC Navy Flagship "Danyang" retired. Danyang used be Japanese Imperial Navy's Destroyer Yukikaze. During the Pacific War Yukikaze participated 16 battles and always achieved some effects with little harms, thus it was also called "Miraculous Destroyer". After the war it was transferred to ROC navy. Still, it acquired considerable achievements in the Cross-straight Wars, and became the Flagship of ROC Navy. Despite it retired and was disintegrated, it was still alive in many navy soldiers' memories. For relevant information, you may refer to our oral interviews: Collected Reminiscences of People in ROC Navy, vol. 1 & vol. 2.

11月17日 Lanterns celebrating the opening of Shanghai as Treaty Port

November 17, 1843, Shanghai was formally opened as treaty port, symbolizing that China started to open its door toward the marine World. This is a milestone in Chinese history. Researchers in our institute organized "Chinese Urban History Research Group". One of its goals is to explore the impacts on China brought about opening the port in Shanghai. Some of their outstanding research finding could be viewed in The City and Chinese Modernity.

11月18日 Stamp celebrating the abolition of Extraterritoriality

November 18, 1929, Minister of Diplomacy Wang Zhengting said that it was decided to have the consular jurisdiction abolished in China. Consular jurisdiction was one of the unequal agreement since the Nanking treaty. Since the nationalist government was established, the government started to seek for a solution for the issue, and stimulated series of negotiations. However, great powers had no intention to give up the rights. It was only until the later stage of WWII, the issue of consular jurisdiction was formally solved. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lee En-han, "The Sino-British Diplomacy concerning the Relinquinshment of the Extraterritoriality in China before September 1931".

11月19日 Memorial Coin for establishing the Xinjiang Province in 1884

November 19, 1884, Liu Jintang was appointed the first Governor of the newly established Xinjiang Province. Xinjiang had been under military governance since the Qianlong conquer, and for long time served as an exile for criminals. It was until the Northwestern Muslim's rebellions, and the Russian covets' threat, the Qing became alerted at the importance of Xinjiang, and launched constructive projects. The decision of establishing provinces left deep influences onto the territory and land defense of future China. Regarding the thoughts and practices of Northwestern development since late Qing, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Li, "The Modern Chinese Perspective on the Development of the Northwestern Region".

11月20日 The Appointment of Cai Yuanpei as President of Academia Sinica

November 20, 1927, the preparatory committee of Academia Sinica elected Cai Yuanpei as the first President. Cai was an important figure in fields of academy in early republican China. He served as President of Peking University. From 1928 to 1940, he focused himself on directing Academia Sinica and left various aspects of influences in modern China. About his relationships with Academia SInica, you may refer to our research findinding: T'ao Ying-hui, "Tsai Yuan-pei and the Early Development of Academia Sinica, 1927-1940".

11月21日 The First National Assembly Representative ID

November 21, 1947, the first National Assembly Representatives started to vote. National Assembly is the highest institute of power in Republic of China's constitution. It was postponed for several times before. The launch of its functioning means a lot in China's practice of Constitutional politics. About the situations of earliest National Assembly, you may refer to the first Assembly's representative Wang Zizhuang's personal records which published by our institute: The Diary of Wang Tzu-chuang.

11月22日 Sun Yat-sen memorial in the Biyun Temple where the Western Mountain Conference was held

November 22, 1927, Nanjing people celebrated the victory of Western wars. Gu Zhenggang, a representative of the Central KMT school, urged people to support Chiang Kai-shek to restore the position, and act against the Western Mountain Conference Branch. Later the people gathered and demonstrated. The Army tried to stop them and caused dozens victims. This event was later called the 1122 Incident. Later this branch became weaker and the members turned to engage in the interpretations of Sun Yat-sen's thoughts. About the activities, you may refer to our oral interview of its member: Records of Interviews with Mr. Ma Chaojun.

11月23日 Preparatory Volume, Lesson 1 "How are you? Teacher!" of the Elementary School's textbook

November 23, 1918, Ministry of Education proclaimed the table of Bopomofo. National tongue is essential in establishing national consciousness, as well it is important in spreading the modern knowledge. About the functions of national tongue in modern China, you may refer to our research finding: Wang Erh-min, "Self-Awakening in the Popularization of Modern Knowledge and Movement for the National Language in China".

11月24日 Oil painting on the establishment of Revive China Society

November 24, 1894, the Revive China Society started to collect fees and plan future actions.The Revive China Society is the earliest revolutionary group in modern China. Later it gradually developed to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and founded Republic China. Today's KMT also appoints this day as the party's birthday. Regarding the early stage of the Revive Society, you may refer to our Bulletin: Alice N. H. Lunng, "The Relationship Between Sun Yat-sen's Revolutionary Movement and Hong Kong During the Early Stage of Hising-Chung hui(1894-1900)".

11月25日 Main Gate of the East Hebei Autonomous Council

November 25, 1935, the East Hebei Autonomous Council was established in Tongzhou. The council was a puppet government under Japanese control. Chiang Kai-shek considered it as an even serious shame over the Mukden Incident. However in fact, its impacts in economy was worse than politics. It dumped oil and opium to China and harm the taxation at Tianjin custom, and exported emigrant to Manchuria to compensate the labor. About the details of the latter, you may refer to our research finding: Chao Chung-fu, "Migrants in the three northeastern provinces in the 1920 and 30s-".

11月26日 Illustration of the Principle of People's Welfares drawn by Sun Yat-sen

November 26, 1905, People's Newspaper was first issued in Tokyo. In the first issue Sun Yat-sen for the first time publicized the ideas of Three People's Principle. The People's Newspaper was the official newspaper of Tongmeng hui. It had considerable contributions in broadcasting the revolution theories. For details, you may refer to our research finding: Chu Hong-yuan, Revolutionary Theory of T’ung-meng Hui: The “Min Pao” as a Case Study.

11月27日 Severe Battles near Hanyang

November 27, 1912, the Qing troops captured Hanyang occupied by the Revolutionist. This is the climax of the victory of the Qing Army. Although it was the New Army to trigger the 1911 Revolution, their training and weapons could not compete with the Northern Army. However, yuan Shikai chose to settle the issue with political rather than military means. Soon afterward he propose a cease-fire with Wuchang, and the direction of revolution led to the direction of peaceful negotiations. Regarding the situation of the New Army in the revolution, you may refer to our research finding: Liu Feng-han, "On New Army and the 1911 Republican Revolution", in Collected Articles from the Conference on 1911 Republican Revolution.

11月28日 Manchurian Styled Holy Mother reserved in the Northern Church, Beijing

November 28, 1860, China passed the Northern Church and Southern Church in Beijing to the French Priests' management. France has been considering herself as the protector of Catholics, even more progressive than the Curia Romana. Later sent its own representative in China, and had some disputes. This is a worth-noticing event in Catholic history in China. For details, you may refer to our Bulletin: Alexander Tsung-ming Chen, "The Dispute between the Holy See and France over the Protectorate in China at the End of the 1920s –A Discussion Centered on the Apostolic Delegate Celso Costantini".

11月29日 Self-strengthening school

November 29, 1893, Zhang Zhidong, Governor in General of Huguang, reported to establish the self-strengthening school. It later became today's Wuhan University. Among the governors in late Qing, Zhang particularly paid attentions to education. His original purpose was to educate leaders for the Qing empire, however, it turned out to enlighten young men to be against the Qing empire. Thus Sun Yat-sen said that Zhang was a great revolutionist without advocating revolution. Regarding Zhang's educational business, you may refer to our research finding: Su Yun-feng, Zhang Zhidong and the educational reform in Hubei.

11月30日 Wang Jingwei visited Sun Yat-sen's tomb

November 30, 1940, Japan formally recognized the Nanjing government led by Wang Jingwei. Wang has been conclusively sentenced as traitor by historians from both sides of the Strait. However, recently some scholars started to, through book reviews or papers, interpret this figure with innovative ideas, for example, you may refer to our research finding Wang Jung-tzu, "Book Review of Wang Kewen's Wang Jingwei, KMT, and the Nanjing government", and Lo Jiu-jung, "Two-man show by Chiang Kai-shek and Wang Jingwei during the Sino-Japanese War".

12月01日 Illustration of the Emperor's Wedding in the Qing Palace

December 1, 1922, Puyi had his wedding in the Forbidden City. This marriage turned out to be a tragedy. Chinese traditional marriage did not care about personal willingness. From the Qing Dynasty on, there had been many voices about marriage reform. This is also an important issue of modern women's history. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chang So-an, "The rectification of the orthodox concept of marriage in late Imperial China".

12月02日 Burma came to Beijing to Tribute

December 2, 1885, Zeng Jize reported that given British Army captured Burma's king Thibow, China should take this advantage to capture the commercial town Bahmo. Regarding the conquest of a state of her tribute system, China's inside opinions were diversified. Zeng Jizeng's argument was eventually not taken seriously. Although China recognized the established truth and let it go, Zeng's proposal showed that traditional China had also the facet of realism. About the discussions about the subjugation of Burma, you may refer to our research finding: Lee En-han, Zeng Jize's Diplomacy, pp. 258-270.

12月03日 The Cairo Declaration dropped to Taiwan by US aircrafts

December 3, 1943, Cairo Declaration was officially announced. Cairo Conference was one of the most important meetings among the cordial members of the Allied Army during the WWII. Despite the effectiveness of the Cairo Declaration is still under debates, it is doubtless highly symbolic in the modern history for China to attend the peak international conference for the first time. About the contexts of the Cairo Conference, you may refer to our research finding: Liang Ching-chun, "Background of the Cairo Conference".

12月04日 A Party of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration held in China

December 4, 1945, UNRRA donated 660 clinics and 550 maternity hospital to China. UNRRA is a UN organization. Its purpose was to aid the countries seriously destructed by the WWII. China is one of the most desctructed countries. However, because the civil war broke up, and the US was suspicious of the KMT's corruptions. The aid came to an end in 1947. About the relevant historical materials, many are preserved in our "Economic Archives". As for the summary of the contents, you may refer to our Bulletin: Wang Yee-chun, "An Evaluation of the Economic Archives at the Institute of Mordern History, Academia Sinica".

12月05日 Name List of the Aristocratic Military School

December 5, 1908, Following the suggestions proposed by the Ministry of Army, the Qing court established Aristocratic Naval School. In the late Qing period, Han Chinese gradually seized more powers. For the safety of the Manchurian sovereign, the Qing court modified its original principle to watch out the imperial relatives, and started to help them to control military power. Regarding the political and economic status of the Qing imperial clans, you may refer to our research finding: Lai Hui-min, The Qing Imperial Lineage: Its Hierarchial Structure and Economic Life.

12月06日 Li Dazhao's residence and his calligraphy

December 6, 1920, Li Dazhao organized Seminar on Socialism in Beijing University. Li played an important role in modern Chinese intellectual history. Other than his status in Chinese Communist Party's history, he is also famous for his thoughts in politics and public ethics. For details you may refer to our research finding: Duan Lian, " Civic Virtue in A Secular Age: Cultural Identity and National Loyalty—A Study on the Public Ethics of Chinese Intellectuals during the May Fourth Period".

12月07日 Yuan Shikai's Queue-cutting

December 7, 1911, the Qing court allowed the vessels to freely choose to have quere-cutting. Quere-cutting is one of the most symbolic policy in the Manchu rules. It is also the most odd impressions toward Chinese people from the foreign points of view. Thus whether to maintain the quere-cutting policy continue to be mixed with discussions of political reforms. It was until the breaking-up of the 1911 revolution that the Qing court finally made the concessions, but it was all too late. Regarding the issue, you may refer to our Bulletin: Fan Xueqing, "“Queue-Cutting and Dress Reform” and the Frustration of the Late Qing Constitutionalist Movement, 1909-1910".

12月08日 Li Hongzhang's Letter to Dr. Patrick Mansion for expressing appreciation of healing his tongue disease

December 8, 1893, Li Hongzhang established a Western-styled school attached to the Tianjin Hospital. Li is a representative figure among the late Qing officials that believed in Western medicine. Furthermore, he pushed the establishment of educational and clinical organizations, thus substantially contributed to Western medicine in China. Li first encountered Western medicine via the experience of his wife's treatment by British physicians. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Wang Hsiu-yun, "Refusing Male Physicians: The Gender and Body Politics of Missionary Medicine in China, 1870s-1920s".

12月09日 Stamp in memorial of December 9 Movement

December 9, 1935, students in Beiping gathered for the petitions of stopping civil wars and the freedom of gathering. They were dissipated by the police. As a representative student movement before the Sino-Japanese war, this is later called December 9 movement. For details you may refer to our research finding: Su Yun-feng, "TsingHua University Student Movements before the War of Resistance Against Japan, 1929-1938".

12月10日 A Wanted poster of Shih Ming-teh

December 10, 1979, The Kaohsiung Incident took place; a meeting and March to commemorate human rights day organized by the Meili Island Magazine in Kaohsiung came into conflict with the police and the army. This incident has had a great influence on political democratization in post- War Taiwan. The institute interviewed 14 figures connected to the Kaohsiung (Meilidao) Incident and it is valuable historical material relating to the history of the Taiwanese Democracy Movement: Oral History 12th Issue (Kaohsiung Incident Special Issue).

12月11日 Ferdinand Verbiest, Vice Director of Ministry of Works

December 11, 1866, following Prince Gong's opinion, the court established school of astronomy and mathematics in Tongwenguan. Western instructors were hired as the first step of self-strengthening. Astronomy is symbolical in Ancient China to learn from foreigners, including the cases of India, Muslim, and Jesuit. The late Qing is no exception. Regarding the early stage of the Western astronomy's introduction into China, you may refer to our research finding: Wang Ping, The Introduction of Western Astronomical and Mathematical Sciences into China.

12月12日 Memorial Stamp of the Double Twelfth Day

December 12, 1936, Xi'an Incident broke up. Zhang Xueliang kidnapped Chiang Kai-shek, requesting for stopping the wars against Communists and focusing on fighting against Japanese. The result of this incident gave Communist Party the room of survival, and completely changed the development of modern Chinese history. Regarding the incident, you may refer to a witness interviewed in our oral history: Records of interviews with Mr. Ji Yiqiao.

12月13日 The Rape of Nanking

December 13, 1937. Japanese army captured Nanjing, and the whole city became shed blood. Despite there were still disputes about the numbers of victims, the fact of slaughtering is hard to deny. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lee En-han, "Who in the Japanese Command Gave the orders for the Rape of Nanking?".

12月14日 Xu Zhimo and Lu Xiaoman's pledge of no-concubine loyalty

December 14, 1912, ROC government officially permit men to keep concubines. Keeping concubine used to be a common habit in many places of non-Christian world. Despite China accepted Western influence to change the political system, the social custom could hardly be changed all at once. Thus the custom of keeping concubine remained a issue for the gender historians of the modern period to study. For example, you may refer to our RWMCH: Guo Songyi, "The concubinage system of the Qing Dynasty".

12月15日 The Symbol of the National Southern University

December 15, 1920, the preparatory unit of the National Southern University was established. Its precedent is the Sanjiang Normal College established in 1902. As one of the earliest higher education organization, it enjoyed a certain status in modern educational history. Founder of the Institute, Kuo Ting-yi, is also a graduate of the university. For the early situation of the University, you may refer to our oral interviews: Records of Interviews with Mr. Kuo Ting-yee.

12月16日 Partial Flag of Chinese Youth Party

December 16, 1945, Zeng Qi was elected Chair by the China Youth Party in Paris. China Youth Party had once been the third influential party in modern Chinese history and played active roles. For the sake of preserve historical materials, the institute compile one of its founders -- Zeng Qi's works for the field's reference. You may refer to: Zeng Qi Collection.

12月17日 Matchbox label in memorial of the Northern Ocean Fleet

December 17, 1888, the court appointed Ding Ruchang Admiral of Northern Ocean Fleet. This is the establishment of the Northern Ocean Fleet. Despite it was destroyed during the Sino-Japanese War, given for the first time establishing a modern naval defense, it is still worth mentioning in Chinese history. For the archival records, you may refer to our collected: Documents of Maritime Defense.

12月18日 A smallpox goddess worshipped in the Qing period: Xun xiang hua jie

December 18, 1874, the Tongzhi Emperor ordered that he suffered smallpox and needed a good rest, therefore the empresses dowagers acted as substitute for him. Soon later the emperor passed away. Many common people believed that he died of syphilis. However, from the information of time, the emperor could not died with this reason. The doubtful issues about his passing away was not limited to disease only. Regarding the succession of the throne, there were also some different versions. To clarify this issue, our research finding has also some contributions: Chin Cheng-yi, "An Analysis of the Emperor T'ung Chih's Posthumous Edict Naming Tsai Shu As Emperor".

12月19日 Heaven Master Zhang protects the residence

December 19, 1926, the Jiangxi Provincial Committee ordered to cancel Heaven Master Zhang's title and confiscate all the property. The 63th generation's Heaven Master Zhang Enpu escaped Mountain Longhu to Shanghai. Heaven Master Zhang enjoyed a special homage by imperial houses along the Chinese history, accordingly the lineage formed a special local religious tradition. Other than that, there existed minor local religious groups in different places, which are also worth noticing. For details, you may refer to our Bulletin: Roger Shih-Chieh Lo, " Communal Religious Tradition and “De-centralized” Local Politics: Reconsidering the Wenzhou Jinqianhui Incident (1850-1862)".

12月20日 USSR Cartoon Suggesting that Washington's Peace Negotiation are all tricks

December 20, 1945, General Marshall arrived in China to urge the peace negotiations between KMT and CCP. This is an important episode in their conflicts. Marshall's most important documents on China has been throughly studied by our institute. For details, you may refer to our publication: Notes on the Report on the Marshall Mission to China.

12月21日 PRC official historical painting on the "Long March"

December 21, A Red Troop through the Long March entered Yan'an, Shaanxi. From then on CCP advanced to a new stage. Regarding CCP's Yan'an era, you may refer to our research finding: Chen Yung-fa, The Shadow of Yan'an.

12月22日 a eunuch figure buried in a tomb

December 22, 1915, Yuan Shikai, who was about to enthrone himself, claimed that he would abolish the eunuch institution. Eunuch is an traditional Chinese institution that violating human nature. Many Dynasties suffered from the eunuch. Due to the Ming's experience, the Qing constrained eunuch's power but still not able to abolish it. Regarding the history of eunuchs, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Tsun-wu, "On eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty".

12月23日 A fabric illustration provided by the Commissioner of Imperial Textiles in Suzhou

December 23, 1870, the court ordered the Commissioner of Imperial Textiles of Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou to provide the necessary silk works for the coming marriage ceremony of the Tongzhi Emperor. The Comissionerr of Imperial Textiles provide the palace's clothing and fabric goods, sometimes they would produce based on the emperor's taste. Through this route the imperial house could influence the fashion and material culture in the lower Yangzi era. Regarding this cultural and socio-economic issue, you may refer to our research finding: Lai Hui-min, "The Sovereign's Superior Goods: The Qianlong Emperor and Suzhou's Prosperity".

12月24日 Ding Richang as a role in the Chaozhou opera

December 24, 1876, Governor of Fujian, Ding Richang, went to Taiwan for a round of inspection. Ding is a bright person who contributed greatly to the movement of self-strengthening. Some of Taiwan's early constructions, such as railroad and electric wires are also out of his ideas. Regarding Ding's constructions in Taiwan, you may refer to our research finding: Lu Shih-chiang, Ding Richang and the Movement of Self-strengthening, pp. 282-320.

12月25日 Memorial Coin for the National Protection Movement

December 25, 1915, Tang Jiyao and Cai E announced that the Army of National Protection was established. The theme is to support the Republican Form of State. This announcement triggered the fall of Yuan Shikai. For the details of the national protection movement, we interviewed a general who guarded the Western Yunnan at that time: Records of Interviews of Mr. Ji Yiqiao.

12月26日 Thangka of Changkya Khutukhtu

December 26, 1932, Changkya Khutukhtu was appointed Commissioner of Enhancing Cultivation within the Mongolian Divisions. The Qing Imperial House honored the Tibetan Buddhism and caused the intimate interactions between Mongolian Lama and Beijing. Other than political effects, trade and cultural connections accordingly raised. After the fall of Qing, such religious or cultural ties turned out to be utilized by the Han people to maintain their political relations with the Mongols. Regarding the multiple relations between Beijing and Mongolian Buddhism, you may refer to our research finding: Lai Hui-min, "From Religious Centers to Temple Fairs: Tibetan Buddhist Temples and Tributary Trade with Khalkha Mongolian Royalty during the Qing Dynasty".

12月27日 Sarcastic Cartoon on IMF

December 27, International Monetary Fund was established in Washington D.C.. IMF's theme is to ensure the global monetary system to function normally, and provide aids when necessary. Absolutely, this organization played a very important role in the post-war world. Regarding the IMF and the modern global monetary history, you may refer to our oral history of the IMF research fellow, well-known economist: The Reminiscences of Mr. Chiang Shuo-chieh.

12月28日 The Salvation of the Chinese

December 28, 1946, Antonio Riberi, the first envoy of Roman Catholic, presented the letter of credence. Since the controversy regarding worshipping Confucius and ancestors divorcing the Qing and Roman Catholic, it was until this time that finally both resumed the formal relationship. Regarding the process for the Holy See to modify their policy regarding Rites, you may refer to our Bulletin: Chen Tsung-ming, " Notes on the Holy See’s Solution to the Chinese Rites Controversy in the 1930s ".

12月29日 " The Cow's Complaints and the Herd Boy's Song" published in Chinese Repository, vol. 9, 1840

December 29, 1852, Chinese Repository was closed. Chinese Repository was one of the earliest journals that was published by the Missionaries in the Late Qing, and brought certain influences about the Western recognition of the Chinese in the early stage. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Murray A. Rubinstein, “Propagating the Democratic Gospel: Western Missionaries and the Diffusion of Western Thoughts in China, 1830-1848”.

12月30日 An old map of the Aihun's 64 villages Eastern to the Heilong River

December 30, 1878, the court was worried about the Russian's ambition in Manchuria, asking the General of Shengjing to make sure the defense. There has been a long history for the Russians to covet Manchuria. It was until late Qing then they started to acquire some advancement. After the acquisition of large territories in the Xianfeng era, the Russians still wanted more and caused endless quarrels in the late Qing. For details of the territory controversies, you may refer to our research finding: Chao Chung-fu, Sino-Russian Negotiations over the Manchurian Border Issue, 1858-1911.

12月31日 Hungarian stamp in memorial of Marc Stein as an overseas Hungarian

December 31, 1930, the Beiping Committee of Reserving Ancient Objects repeat announcing against Marc Stein to excavate ancient objects in China. After foreigners taking many of the national treasures, Chinese began to pay attentions to reserving archaeological objects to reconstruct national history. The early stage's details, you may refer to our oral interviews of Academician Shih Chang-ju who had great contributions in Yinxu, neolith, and ancient Taiwanese archaeology: Records of Interviews of Mr. Shih Chang-ju.

1月01日 Monthly Calendar of the Great Han Republic of China

January 1, 1912, Sun Yat-sen arrived in Nanjing from Shanghai to assume the office of temporary president. The day was the first day of the first year of ROC. After the Qing Empire, China needed a rather long time for accommodation to conceptually accept the great transformation of the national form. For details, you may refer to our research finding: the winning book of the First Scholarly Monograph Award in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Academia Sinica: Peter Zarrow, After Empire: The Conceptual Transformation of the Chinese State, 1885-1924.

1月02日 Anti-evolutionist's cartoon mocking Darwin

January 2, 1907, Zhang Yintang, Grand Minister on Tibetan affairs spoke to Tibetan on evolution. Warning them with the previous examples of India's and Sikkim. The Tibetan audience cried. The evolutionary theory is one of the most powerful thought that pushed China to change. Regarding its intellectual aspect you may refer to our research finding: Huang Ko-wu, "Hu Shi and Thomas Henry Huxley".

1月03日 A World map of the Opium War's time

January 3, 1843, Wei Yuan's Illustrated Gazette of Overseas Countries was completed. Wei Yuan is a brilliant figure in the late Qing. This book based on Lin Zexu's Gazette of Four Continents and expanded to introduce history and geography of the world. In the book he advocated to learn the learn advanced Western technology in order to successfully fight back against foreign invasion. His thoughts on naval defense were not only considered a model by those discussing western affairs in the late Qing, but also had a major influence on the the learning of advanced Western technology advocated to successfully fight back against foreign invasion. His thoughts on naval defense were not only considered a model by those discussing western affairs in the late Qing, but also had a major influence on the Meiji restoration. For details of his life, you may refer to our monograph: Wang Chia-chien, A Chronological Biography of Wei Yuan.

1月04日 Pyromorphite only available in Guangxi, China

January 4, 1916, Geological Survey was established. Geology in the modern sense rose from the West. It is a useful learning about knowing the resources and national planning, and thus is an essential to a nation's construction. Regarding the early stage of geology in China, you may refer to our interviews with a founding figure in Chinese geology: The Reminiscences of Mr. Yuan Weichou.

1月05日 Poster of Universal Exposition of St. Louis in French

January 5, 1903, the court appointed Pulan as the Formal Supervisor of the affairs of Universal Exposition of St. Louis. Universal Exposition is an international platform of presentation. It could not only present the power of a nation and promote the trade, but also enhancing mutual understanding of culture and shape the national image. Learning to become a member of the international society, China's first attempt to accomodate it to the culture of Universal Exposition has many meaningful details worth researching. For details you may refer to our research finding: Wang Cheng-hua, "Presenting 'CHINA': A Research on Late Qing's participation of the Universal Exposition in St. Louis, USA in 1904".

1月06日 Announcement posted by Liu Lichuan, leader of the Small Swords Society

January 6, 1855, the French Army helped the Qing Army to attack the walled city of Shanghai controlled by Small Sword Society. In the beginning the joint army was defeated, but more than a month later, the Small Sword Society was eventually destroyed due to their limited resources. Small Sword Society was a secretary society revolving during the Taiping Rebellion. Once it controlled Shanghai and the adjacent area. Because they guaranteed the safety of the concessions, for a while the foreign powers supported it. For details you may refer to our research finding: Wang Erh-min, "A Map of the 1854 Shanghai "Battle of Muddy Flat".

1月07日 Empress Dowager Cixi and the Guangxu Emperor returned to Beijing since the Boxer's Rebellion

January 7, 1902, Empress Dowager Cixi and the Guangxu Emperor returned to Beijing since the Boxer's Rebellion. The Eight Nation Alliance eventually decide to let Cixi go. It is a result of endless negotiations done by the Qing diplomats. When Cixi returned to Beijing, she greeted the Western medi in a friendly way, and tried every efforts to mend her international image since then. The relavant information could be found in our historical source: Diplomatic correspondence of the Qing Dynasty and our research finding: Wang Cheng-hua, "Toward 'publicity': The style, political manipulation, and image construction of Cixi's portrait".

1月08日 Fashion Times published by the Shanghai Sincere

January 8, 1900, the first Chinese capital department store -- Sincere was opened in Hong Kong. Department store first appeared in Western Europe and North America in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It is usually considered as a symbol of modernization, as well as the landmark of new styled city such as Shanghai. The department store not only changes the consumption and leisure in everyday life, but also creates new form of employment. For details you may refer to our research finding: Lien Ling-ling, "Everyday Life as an Arena of Power Relations:Department Store Clerks in Republican Shanghai".

1月09日 The story of the Female Bandit "Tuo Long" was reformed into drama

January 9, 1925, the female bandit "Tuo Long" was executed in Changchun. Despite most bandits are male, the female ones are not unusual. Their stories turn out to be more likely to be given the dramatic or fictional implications. Regarding their images and meanings, you may find analyses in our research finding: Wu Jen-shu, "Is she a devil or fairy? -- On the transformation of image of the Shandong's Tang Sai'er in the Ming Dynasty", in Lu Fang-shang ed., Voices amid Silence (I): Women and the Nation in Modern China (1600-1950).

1月10日 Advertisement of Tobacco in early Republican Period

January 10, 1919, the National Office of Tobacco and Alcohol Affairs was established. Tobacco and alcohol are popular luxury goods in the modern world. Merchants make great fortune through their trade, so does the government collect certain tax by their sales. Regarding the relevant tax's information, you may refer to our Bulletin: Ho Hon-wai, "Ch'ing Period: the Case of Miscellaneous Taxes with Specific Reference to Levies on Tobacco, Liquior and Property Deeds".

1月11日 Sarcastic Wall Painting during the "Great Jump" Period: A radish is as heavy as 500 kg., which is beyond being moved by two donkeys

January 11, 1962, CCP hosted the Seven-Thousand Cadres' Conference in Beijing, and concluded the mistakes during the "Great Jump Movement". The conference is one of the important turning point in the CCP's history, for details you may refer to our research finding: Chen Yung-fa, "Mao Zedong and the Seven-Thousand Cadres’ Conference: Developing Democracy or Foreshadowing the Cultural Revolution?".

1月12日 Illustrated Vernacular News

January 12, 1920, Ministry of Education proclaimed that from then on all the first and second year of primary education would use vernacular instead of literary language. Since the late Qing on, using vernacular language became common agreement. After the movement of written vernacular Chinese, this rather became an absolute trend, effectively throwing light on the enlightenment of common people. For details, you may refer to our research finding: Li Hsiao-ti, Lower Class Enlightenment in the Late Ch’ing Period: 1901-1911.

1月13日 White Lotus Religion's Bowl

December 22, 1883, the court ordered all the local officials must prohibited people from following the White Lotus or Eight Diagram Religion. White Lotus Religion has a long history in China. They arose many mass uprisings. In the Qing Dynasty, around the 1800 the religion again became a serious issue and exhausted the empire before the Opium War. Regarding the uprising you may refer to our research finding: Li Chien-min, "An Enquiry into the Causes of the 1976 Ahite-Lotus sect Uprising in Sichuan and Hubei".

1月14日 China Merchant's Steam Navigation Company launched its business

January 14, 1873, China Merchant's Steam Navigation Company was established. The company is an important part of the Self-strengthening Movement. It is in nature a Nationalized business run by private merchants, and contributed greatly to the early development of the marine transportation in China. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: LAI CH'I-KONG, "The Proposal to Nationalize the China Merchants' Steam Navigation Company, 1878-1881".

1月15日 The "Auspicious Grains" as auspicious sign for the Yongzheng Emperor

January 15, 1916, Yuan Shikai ordered to protect the newly discovered "stone dragon" in Yichang, and the Historica should keep records of it. The so-called "stone iron" was mistaken by English tourists, taking stalactite to be fossils of dinosaur. It happened to be the time Yuan was intended to throne himself as Emperor, thus the local people used it as an auspicious sign of a new emperor for Yuan to please him. At that time, despite the geology just launched in China, the Chinese experts were knowledgeable enough to know that was not a fossil. Regarding the early stage of historical geology in China, you may refer to our research finding: Yang Tsui-hua, "Historical Geology in Republican China, 1912-1937".

1月16日 Fushun Coal in the Early Republican Period

January 16, 1946, the representative of receiving the Fushun coal was killed by the Russian Army. Fushun has a nick name of Coal Capital, which contained rich and high-quality coal, thus for a long time was coveted by Japan and Russia. After the World War II, Russia took over Japan to control the coal and refused to pass it to the Nationalist official. That's the cause of this tragedy. Regarding the details of the Fushun Coal's history, you may refer to our research finding: Chen Tzu-yu, "The Development of Fushun Coal Mines,1907-1931".

1月17日 Middle-autumn quire from the Three Rare Hall which was lost in the Palace Museum in Beiping

January 17, 1933, the central government decided to move the antiques of the Palace Museum southward. The collections of the Palace Museums are treasures of the world. Today Taipei's Palace Museum is one of the four greatest museum on earth. Regarding the museum's history, you may refer to our interviews with a president of the museum: The Reminiscences of Mr. Chiang Futsung.

1月18日 Orthodox Transmission of the Emperor along the Dynasties (Qing painting)

January 18, 1914, the National Government appointed the direct line of Confucius' descendent as the officiating priest of Confucius, and similar treatments to other Confucius sages such as Yan Hui's, Zeng Shen's, Zisi's, and Mencius' descendent. Along the dynasties, China has worshipped Confucius. Confucius serves as central figure of orthodox transmissions and scholarly transmissions. His role could hardly be overthrown simply with the fall of the imperial system. Before the Republican period, Qing intellectuals have thought over Confucianism and developed new thoughts, rather than simply following the past. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chang So-an, "The Critique of the “Orthodox Transmission” of Neo-Confucianism and The Re-formation of the Confucian Scholarly Transmission: A New Examination of Qing Scholarship".

1月19日 Robbing for wedding when the filature recesses

January 19, 1897, Chu Chengbo suggested to ask the leading governors to promote machinery silk factories so as to improve the domestic products to compete with imported silk goods. Silk used to be the major goods the rest of the world desired from China. However, along with the invention of new styled silk reeling, Chinese industry suffered serious threatening. This memorial aimed at enhance China's competence. This is an important issue in modern economic history, for details you may refer to our research finding: Chen Tsu-yu, The Silk Industry of Modern China, 1860-1945.

1月20日 An English propaganda of the establishment of "Empire of Manchuria"

January 20, 1934, Puyi announced that from March 1 on, “Manchu Empire" was to be renamed as "Great Empire of Manchuria". Equally controlled by Japan, in the early twentieth century, many Taiwanese went to Manchuria to seek for a career. Some of them stayed there after the WWII. This is also an "Taiwanese experience" worth memorizing. For details you may refer to our research finding: Hsu Hsueh-chi, Taiwanese Experiences in Manchuria during the Japan Occupation.

1月21日 Chang Tung-sun's signature for a meeting of the Democratic Construction of Nation

January 21, 1946, Chiang Kai-shek invited Chang Chun-mai and Chang Tung-sun for conversation. These two Changs once cooperated to organize a political party, but later departed. Besides, both occupied a certain status in intellectual history. Dr. Yap Key-chong in the Institute had a series of studies on these two scholars. The paper “‘Knowing is Living’: The Crux of Chang Tung-sun’s Early Epistemology as Revealed in his Debate with Chang Chun-mai” discussed the debates between them.

1月22日 The prosperity in front of the Front Gate in the Qing Capital Beijing

January 22, 1949, Fu Zuoyi, who defended Beiping, signed a peace concession agreement with CCP, and the Nationalist army retreated from the city so that the Communist army could seize the city without fighting. Since the late Qing, Beijing only suffered partial plunders during the second Opium War and the Eight Nation Alliance. Unlike many other cities in China, Beijing did not encounter decisive destructions in great wars, so that it could maintain the scene as an ancient capital in genreal. Regarding the image formation of Beijing as a Capital, you may refer to our research finding: Yu-chih Lai,“Picturing Empire: Illustrations of Official Tribute at the Qianlong Court and the Making of the Imperial Capital”.

1月23日 They say in Buddhism that a woman who has aborted will fall into the Hell of Tiger in the next life

January 23, 1973, the US highest court judged that women had the right of abortion. Abortion is a right or a guilt? There existed various ideas across time and culture. The debates reflected many issues of culture and value judgement. For relevant studies, you may refer to our publication: Wu Yen-chiu, "Western Abortion Law Imposed on Eastern Women: The Formation and Influence of Modern Abortion Laws in Taiwan and China".

1月24日 Overseas Chinese supported Sun Yat-sen

January 24, 1922, the Beijing authority established Bureau of Nationals living Abroad, echoing to the request of overseas Chinese. There is a saying: Overseas Chinese fostered the revolution. Other than that, overseas Chinese played active roles in various domain of the modern history. Regarding the development of the relevant affairs, you may refer to our interviews with Mr. Zhou Yongneng, who was deeply involved in the activities: Records of interviews with Mr. Zhou Yongneng.

1月25日 An Advertisement with Trade Mark of A Brush Pen Store in the Qing Period

January 25, 1905, China first establish bureau of Trade Mark. China already used trade mark privately. However, establishing a bureau was influenced by the West. Above this ground, there is a certain foundation for processing conflicts about trade mark issues with foreign merchants. For details you may refer to our research finding: Ning Jennifer Chang, "Aspirin in China: Trade Mark Disputes between China’s Pharmaceutical Industry and I. G. Farben, 1936-49".

1月26日 Great Powers were about to carve up China

January 26， 1899， Russia proposed to Britain for negotiations regarding sphere of influences in China. China in late Qing was nearly carved up by Great Powers. It barely survived partly due to Great Powers' own policy considerations. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Wang Shih-tsung, "Scramble for China: Lord Salisbury and British Policy in the Far East".

1月27日 Complete Map of Chinese and Barbarians Unified by the Great Qing

January 27, 1843, the Great Qing Gazetteer was revised up. Compiling gazetteer is an excellent tradition of China. Many geographic knowledge was accordingly preserved. Regarding the nature of the maps in the gazetteers, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Che-chia, “ The Maps of the Ming Gazetteers ”, in When Images Speak: Visual Representation and Cultural Mapping in Modern China.

1月28日 A Cover of Lady's Magazine

January 28, 1932, Japanese army attached Shanghai. This is later called 128 event. The battle continued for over a month. During the battle Japanese air force bombed and destroyed the Commercial Press. One of the results is some important journals stopped issuing. Lady's Journal is one of them. Lady's Journal is one of the most important journals for women in modern China. The institute once organized a conference specifically on the journal. The research results could be found in our Research on Women in Modern Chinese History 12, Special Issue on Journal of Women. Furthermore, we edited its complete table of contents, and produced a database to publicize on web, so that scholars could use them freely.( Ladies' Journal Database )

1月29日 1st Naval Wing, Royal Thai Navy, made in Japan

January 29, 1941, Thailand and Vietnam's conflicts came to an end due to Japan's mediation. One month later, Japan forced Vietnam to yield lands to Thailand. In the early half of the twentieth century, Thailand was close to Japan regarding to diplomatic affairs. In the case of Manchu of League of Nations, Thailand chose to abstention of the voting. Economically, it also became a ring of Japan's trade circle in Southeast Asia. For details you may refer to our research finding: Man-houng Lin, “Japanese Government and Taiwanese Investment in Southeast Asia, 1895-1945”.

1月30日 A Matchbox broadcasting constitutionalism in the Late Qing

January 30, 1910, the court ordered all the local yamen should establish a preparation unit for constitution. Since the Russian-Japanese War, the ideas of constitutionalism became hot and became an important issue of political ideas in the Late Qing period. For details you may refer to our research finding: Peter Zarrow, “Of Benefit to the Ruler, of Benefit to the People’: Official Discussions of Constitutionalism in the Late Qing”.

1月31日 Old Shanghai Calendar: Elder Sister taught me to dance

January 31, 1948, Shanghai's dancing girls and relevant employee, as many as 3000 people, petite for the exhibition of dancing. They destroyed the office of social bureau. About 400 people were arrested. Related to Kuomintang authority's suppressive attitude, Shanghai's entertainment business was flourishing during the Sino-Japanese War period. This phenomenon became a hot topic for the issue of "War and Culture". For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Feng Chi-hung, “War and Culture: Looking Back at the Last Decade of Historical Studies of the Culture of the Anti-Japanese War Period”.

2月01日 Zheng Chenggong on battlefield

February 1, 1662, Dutch East India Company‘s Chief of Taiwan formally surrendered to Zheng Chenggong. Zheng has various identity and thus has specific role in Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese history respectively. After all was he a loyal vessel to the Ming Dynasty, or a national hero? It is an issue continues to be discussed by historians. For relevant issue you may refer to our research finding: Wong Young-tsu, "A Case for Cultural Pluralism : Zhang Binglin’s Critique of Western Modernity".

2月02日 Tiger Balm Advertisement

February 2, 1941, Chongqing's New China' News highly praised Hu Wenhu for his "donating ten-millions for the Nation". Hu was known as a patriotic overseas Chinese. His fortune came from selling "Tiger Balm" by well using advertisement skills. His satellite business Singapore Daily was originally establishing for convenience of posting advertisements. Advertisement is an important symbol of the modern society. Despite the contents are often fabricated, it contains many touching information for the contemporary society. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Huang K'o-wu, “The Medical Culture and Social Life in Shanghal: A Study Based on the Medicine Advertisements in Shen Pao, 1912-1926”.

2月03日 The earliest medal in China was designed by Zongli yamen

February 3, 1861, the regulations of Zongli yamen were reported for approval. Zongli yamen is the institution in charge of diplomacy in late Qing. It occupied a certain importance in modern history. Regarding its functions, you may refer to our Bulletin: " The Daily Life and Official Career of a Zongli Yamen Secretary: Chengzhai Riji and Yang Yizhi ", by Li Wenjie

2月04日 An Illustration of birds discovered by Robert Swinhoe

February 4, 1865, Robert Swinhoe was promoted to be consul in Takao. Swinhoe's records in diplomacy are not as significant as his contributions to natural history. Over 1/3 of today's recorded bird species in Taiwan are first reported by him. Observing birds and hunting birds are both British customs. They also brought the custom from Britain to China. For details you may refer to our research finding: Ning Jennifer Chang, “Cultural Conflicts in the British Community in China: Shanghai ‘Sportsmen’ vs. the ‘Bird Slaughterers’ , 1890-1920”.

2月05日 The Golden pot used to decide the succeeders of the Tibetan Hutukutu

Febrauary 5, 1940, the Nationalist government approved that Lhamo Thondup to be Dalai Lama XIV. The Qianlong Emperor created the method to decide who will be the succeeding Hutukutu among the candidates of xubligan. This method strengthened Qing's control over Tibet. After the fall of Qing, despite there were always some opinions that Tibet should become independent, the ROC government utilized the traditional ritual to maintain its political relations with Tibet. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Zhu Li-shuang, "Reality and Representation: The Specially Appointed High Envoy of the Nationalist Government and the Recognition of the 14th Dalai Lama".

2月06日 Poster for the Axis Powers

February 6, 1922, Nine-Power Treaty was signed in Washington D.C. This treaty admitted that ROC succeeded the whole sovereignty of all the lands left by the Qing empire. This treaty also pushed the stop of British-Japanese Alliance. Japan was extremely disappointed at the results. From then on, Japan took a rather radical diplomatic policy which finally made Japan suffered the disasters caused by WWII. Regarding the international background of Japan's stimulation of the Mukden Incident after the treaty, you may refer to our research finding: Huang Tzu-chin, "Appealing to World Opinion: The League of Nations’ Discussion of the Mukden Incident, 1931-1933".

2月07日 Chinese and Japanese beating each other in the Nagasaki Accident

February 7, 1887, the negotiation on Nagasaki Accident came to an end. The court ordered the Envoy Xu Gongzu to sign on the agreement. Nagasaki Accident is one of the earliest diplomatic negotiations involved in modern forensic medicine. China's media, on the other hand, had commented on the accident based on Chinese forensics. Regarding the contexts of Chinese and Western forensics in history, you may refer to our research finding: Chang Che-chia, “Knowledge and Practice in ‘Traditional Chinese Forensic Medicine’ ”.

2月08日 Guo Songtao visited the Universal Exposition in Paris

February 8, 1877, Guo Songtao had an audience to Queen Victoria. He presented Letter of credence and apologized for the Margary Affair. London Times paid much attention for Guo. Guo is the first embassy in the late Qing as well as a person with precognition to the importance of Western learning. However, his contemporary people could hardly recognized him and frustrated him for the last years of his life. For details of his biographic information, you may refer to our research finding: Lu Pao-ch’ien, Chronological Biography of Kuo Sung-t’ao: Corrections and Supplementary Materials.

2月09日 A Russian Communist Propaganda Painting on Damdin Sukhbaatar meeting Lenin

February 9, 1921, Bogd Khan claimed Mongol was an independent country. 12 days later, Russian and Mongolian chiefs met in Kulue and decided to establish the "Great Mongolian Empire". This authority had intimate relationship with the White Russians. Five months later. The Red army dispelled the white army, making the khan as constitutional monarch and had the leader of Mongolian People's Party, Sukhbaatar as the military minister. Mongol started being communized. Mongol's repeating claiming independence is partly due to the involvement of foreign powers, and partly related to the issue of identity. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chang Chi-hsiung, "Independent Outermongolia": National Identity and Controverses over Its Sovereignty,1911-1913".

2月10日 "Haixing (Starfish)" carried the secret mission to ship gold and silver to Taiwan

FeFebruary 10, 1949, Central bank had the reserved gold and silver shipped to Amoy and Taiwan. Captal is important for ruling a country. Grasping gold and silver was particularly considered as essential strategy of statecraft. Regarding silver's importance to the world as well as China in the nineteenth century, you may refer to our research finding: Lin Man-houng, China Upside Down: Currency, Society, and Ideologies, 1808-1856.

2月11日 Binjiang's Anti-plague hospital in 1911

February 11, Japanese Canto Governor Oojima Yoshimasa met China's governor-in-general Xiliang to discuss the methods to prevent plague through cooperation. Preventing plague is not merely a medical issue. It is also concerned with social mobilization and national authority. China proved itself capable of dealing with such issues in the 1911 Manchurian Plague. This fact impressed the Great Powers. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Du Lihong, ” Leadership Stuggles over Epidemic Preventive in Harbin, 1910-1911”.

2月12日 An oracle in the modern Chinese history

February 12, 1912, the Qing's Xuantong Emperor abdicated. The Qing Dynasty came to an end. China has a tradition to circulate oracles to predict, or even influence falls of dynasties. There was no exceptions in the late Qing. This should be considered an interesting and particular cultural phenomenon in Chinese history. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Hok-lan Chan, “Liu Bowen and the Folk Stories ‘Killing the Tartars on Mid-Autumn Day’ ”.

2月13日 Russian T-26 Tank sold to ROC not restricted by the Arm Embargo

February 13, 1925, Feng Yuxiang purchased a considerable amount of arms from Russia. The background of this event is that the great powers conceded to set an embargo from selling arms to China before its unification. however, the losers in the WWI, such as Russia and Germany, had no obligation to this agreement. Finally the concession could not continue. For details you may refer to our research finding: Chen Tsun-kung, The China Arms Embargo, 1919-1929.

2月14日 T.V. Soong and the empty treasury

February 14, 1947, members of the legislative Yuan push Song Ziwen to resign. Around the same time, Fu Sinian denounced Song and his family's capital. The failure of economy was one of the essential reason for KMT to lose China. Many people accused this failure to the Kong-Song families which directed economic affairs at that time. In fact, the important figure, Song Ziwen, was familiar with international affairs thus the failure should have more details to explore. After many years' simple blaming, nowadays scholars could discuss his policy thinking with less emotions. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Cheng Hwei-shing, "From Controlled Economy to Open Markets: The Foreign Trade Policy of the Post-War National Government".

2月15日 Surrender of the British army in Singapore, 1942

February 15, 1942, Singapore's British army surrendered to Japan. There were quite a lot of overseas Chinese in Singapore loyal to China and Kuomintang. They donated much money for the war against Japan. However, at this point they turned to be also under the Japanese occupation. Regarding the overseas Chinese people's links with CHina, you may refer to our Bulletin: Wang Gungwu, “ ‘Party-State Democracy’ : Three Generations of Overseas Chinese between Enthusiasm and Skepticism”.

2月16日 Poster of propaganda for the "Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere"

February 16, 1942, Japanese prime minister, Tojo Hideki, announced in the Diet that Japan was going to release East Asia (from the control of Western powers). "Great East Asian Co-prosperity Sphere" is Japan's aggressive project of dispelling Western powers and coordinated East Asia into an economic body under Japan. For survival, many merchants in Japan's controlled area found their way to accomodate the Japanese order. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Xiaohong Xiao-Planes, “ ‘Chinese Capitalists in Japan’s New Order’ : Parks M. Coble, Chinese Capitalists in Japan’s New Order: The Occupied Lower Yangzi, 1937-1945”.

2月17日 Posters of the Third International's propaganda

February 17, 1926, Hu Hanmin attended the Enlarged Conference of the executive committee of the Third International. Hu expressed that Kuomintang was willing to keep connections with the Third International. The cooperation between Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist was a result of Sun Yat-sen's agreement. For details you may refer to our research finding: Li Yu-chen, Sun Yat-sen and the Communist International.

2月18日 Materials used by PUMC Hospital to encoffin Sun Yat-sen

February 18, 1925, under the condition that doctors judged that Sun Yat-sen suffered an incurable disease, Sun moved from the Peking Union Medical College's Hospital to the Iron Lion Lane's Mr. Gu's residence. The hospital was affiliated to PUMC founded by US's Rockefeller Foundation. It contributed considerably to China's medical modernization. Regarding its activities of education and healing, you may refer to of our oral history: Hsiung Ping-chen and Cheng Li-jung, Records of interviews with Mr. Yang Wenda.

2月19日 Propaganda of the New Life Movement

February 19, 1934, Chiang Kai-shek promoted "The New Life Movement" in Nanchang. This is the commence of the term. New Life Movement was enthusiastically promoted by Chiang. This movement not only advocated the Four Virtues, but also emphasized order and cleanness, which was related to the military purposes at that time. For details you may refer to our research finding: Sean Hsiang-lin Lei, “Habituating the Four Virtues: Ethics, Family, and the Body in the Anti-Tuberculosis Campaigns and the New Life Movement”.

2月20日 Receipt of donation to Association of Protecting the Emperor

February 20, 1903, Liang Qichao accepted the invitation of Association of Protecting the Emperor in North America, and departed from Yokohama to Canada. In the late Qing, other than the revolutionist, some constitutionalists also cooperated with overseas Chinese and got involved in political activities. They are also worth political historians' attentions. For details you may refer to our Bulletin: Kuo Mei-fen, “ ‘Huaqiao’ Narratives and Political Alliances of Urban Chinese-Australian Communities in the Early Twentieth Century”.

2月21日 Military training in a Women's school

February 21, 1906, ministry of education received Empress Dowager Cixi's allocution to promote women's education. Since the late Qing, it gradually became a common opinion that women should receive education. However, in practice the popularization still endured a long process. Regarding the practices of women's education in the early Republican period, you may refer to our interviews with a lady who acted as president of a women's primary school: Spring Silkworm Spins till Its Death: The Reminiscences of Ms. Shao Meng-lan.

2月22日 Criminal punishment in the Qing Dynasty: Chopping in half

February 22, 1909, the court requested the relevant office to carefully review the malpractices in lawsuits and prisons, and verify the codes of laws as soon as possible. Judicial reform is one of the late Qing's new policy. It opened the first step of China's modernization in laws. The related researches could be found in our research fellow's book review: Sun Huei-min, “Xiaoqun Xu, Trial of Modernity: Judicial Reform in Early Twentieth-Century China, 1901-1937”.

2月23日 Luxurious boat of a Qing merchant

February 23, 1928, the Beijing government decided to collect special tax on luxurious consumption. Modern economics considers that consumption stimulate economy. However, luxury and consumption had no clear boundary. How to define "luxury", and how to consider it? These questions are often discussed, and have been noticed in the Late Imperial China. For details you may refer to our research finding: Wu Jen-shu, Women of luxury – Women’s Consumer Culture of the Jiangnan region (area south of the Yangtse) in the Ming-Qing period.

2月24日 A Qing Dynasty's stamp

February 24, 1949, Post Office announced that from two days later on, the whole country would resume postal delivery. From the traditional to the modern post system, there had a struggling process. For details of the practical situation, you may refer to of our oral history: Shen Yun-lung and Lin Chuan, Records of interviews with Mr. Liu Chenghan.

Last amended :2020/05/29