If you’ve been paying attention over the years, you know that today is a “holiday” that we always celebrate.
I’m not sure why I think it’s necessary to explain Ten-ten Day every year — maybe because every year the same people seem confused as to what we’re celebrating…..
Today is the anniversary of the start of the Wuchang Uprising — on 10 October, 1911. The revolution brought an end to the Ching (Qing) Dynasty, that the Manchus had created in 1644. The rebellion swiftly gained traction across the country, and the Republic of China was formed just two months later, becoming Asia’s first worldwide recognized republic. Following the Chinese Civil War, the government of the Republic of China lost control of mainland China to the Communists and relocated to Taiwan in 1949. Today, October 10, is the Republic of China’s official National Day, and it is extensively celebrated in Taiwan as Ten-Ten Day or Double Ten Day. Outside Taiwan, National Day is also celebrated by many Overseas Chinese Communities.
We of course learned about the Ten-Ten Day celebration when we lived next door to the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and we’ve been celebrating it for 50 years now.
A couple of interesting Taiwanese facts picked up over those 50 years….
Only 2.3% of Taiwanese people are native — probably because during the Qing Dynasty, natives were forced out, in much the same way Europeans pushed away native Americans, Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders.
Taiwan is the size of Belgium, but it’s a heavily populated country with a population of 23 million people, whereas Belgium has a population of only 11 million.
Taiwan is modern and forward-thinking, at least in comparison to its neighboring nations — for instance, in 2019 Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage.
The national dish of Taiwan is fermented tofu and it smells exactly how it sounds.
The Taipei 101 skyscraper was the world’s tallest building until 2007 when it was replaced by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Ten-Ten Day celebrates Taiwan’s rich cultural legacy with great cuisine, live music, dancing, entertainment and other activities…. and here in Shepherdstown, Chinese food is a must.
Happy Ten-Ten Day!
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