Every year, for the people of the Republic of China and for Chinese abroad, October is a brilliant, festive, and joyous month. From its opening days, the major streets of the bigger cities are bright with national flags, multicolor special ceremonial archways, and jeweled light displays. All this has been going on for many years—it is the celebration of the successful 1911 National Revolution that resulted in creation of Asia's oldest republic, the Republic of China.
On the morning of October 10—Double Ten Day, 1984—some quarter of a million people joined a mammoth rally in the square before the Presidential Offices in Taipei, marking the 73rd anniversary of our National Day.
A combined honor guard of the military services displays the national flag and colorful banners.
Witnessing the grand spectacle that followed were 20,000 overseas Chinese who had flown here for the occasion from around the world. Joining them were foreign dignitaries, including some 400 high ranking government officials and parliamentarians.
The square was a sea of flags. Huge balloons lifted banners decorated with the Chinese characters for "Long Live the Three Principles of the People," "Long Live the Republic of China," and "United With One Heart." In the center of the square, gigantic human mosaics symbolizing the patriotism of the Chinese people at home and abroad were created by formations of thousands of students.
At 9:45, a team of trumpeters in light blue uniforms entered the square. A huge national flag followed, welcomed by the music for "I Love the Republic of China," by the band of the Chung-cheng Military Preparatory School. The Demonstration Band of the Defense Ministry then launched into martial music as a multi-service honor guard of the ROC armed forces entered the square.
Next in sequence, a huge chorus of college students led rally participants in the singing of patriotic songs, and the whole ceremonial site burst into music.
At 10:00, there was a blare of bugles and, at the same time, a formation of planes of the Army Aviation Squadron came over, emitting streams of colored smoke—a salute to President Chiang Ching-kuo and the rally.
Members of Taiwan aboriginal tribes respond to program activity.
With the Honorable Nieh Wen-ya, president of the Legislative Yuan, presiding, the ceremony now turned to speeches by overseas Chinese representatives and freedom seekers who came here recently from the mainland.
President Chiang Ching-kuo's appearance on the reviewing stand at 10:20 was greeted by a chorus of "Hello, Mr. President!" In a spirited national day address, Chiang then urged all Chinese at home and abroad to step up their united efforts against the Chinese Communists so that our mainland compatriots can look forward to regaining freedom at the earliest time possible. "We are all aware that our war against Communism and for national revival is a direct competition between the Three Principles of the People and Communism, a battle between justice and evil, a war to replace tyranny with benevolence. To win this war, we must vigorously advocate justice and do our utmost to practice humanitarian rule," the President declared.
The giant flag, as seen from up front.
Now, doves symbolizing peace filled the skies above the square, joined by balloons of various colors and conformations.
Following was an 80-minute festive parade featuring the dance of a team of huge dragons across downtown Taipei and through the square. Four parade divisions represented the military, students, overseas Chinese, and local groups from all walks of life.
The unfolding parade depicted the Chinese people's aspirations, their will to overcome difficulties, their self-reliance, and their determination to achieve the unification of China under the Three Principles of the People—the governing principles set forth by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founding father of the Republic.
The first echelon formations were cadets from the military academies, and marching units from the armed forces reserves and the garrisons of the offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu. These symbolized the might and spirit of ROC national defense.
Amid the celebrations, the stately Chiang Kai-shek Memorial.
The second echelon featured students from the various levels of schools. These "seedlings" of the Republic of China—alert, lively, high-spirited—represented the future.
The third echelon consisted of groups from all walks of life on the island, who demonstrated their spirit as the foundation of their country's vitality and prosperity.
The fourth echelon, from among the memberships of civic and cultural organizations, attested to the happy, peaceful, and prosperous lifestyle of this society.
At 1:30 p.m., private organizations staged a variety of shows and performances in the square—folk arts, lion and dragon dances, traditional Chinese acrobatics, and other cultural displays.
In the evening, along the Tamsui River, a fireworks display capped the excitement of the occasion.