China celebrates 115th birth anniversary of Mao
December 26th, 2008 - 9:22 pm ICT by IANSShaoshan (China), Dec 26 (Xinhua) China Friday marked the 115th birth anniversary of its revolutionary leader Mao Zedong.Thousands of people gathered at the square near Mao’s birth place Shaoshan village after midnight to cherish the memory of the “Great Helmsman” who led the nation to found New China in 1949 and served as top leader until he died in 1976.
People paid tribute in front of Mao’s 10.1-meter-tall bronze statue — many presented bouquets and some brought birthday cakes. Most people hummed along as “The East is Red”, a song in tribute of Mao, was being played.
Mao’s grandson, Mao Xinyu, was also in the crowd to pay his tribute.
Nearly every Shaoshan villager had noodles for breakfast Friday, a traditional Chinese food to celebrate birthdays as people believe long noodles bring long lives.
“Chairman Mao is always alive in our hearts and we eat his birthday noodles every year,” said village official Mao Yushi.
Meanwhile, nearly 10,000 citizens in Shaoshan marked the day with a marathon race starting from Mao’s former residence across town.
Shaoshan, now labelled a landmark in China’s modern history, receives millions of people from home and overseas every year.
In Beijing, nearly 20,000 people visited Mao’s mausoleum on Tian’anmen Square.
Chairman Mao was born Dec 26, 1893 and died Sep 9, 1976.
- China's president dons Mao suit for National Day - Oct 01, 2009
- Parade, pageants highlight China's 60-year rise in world stage - Oct 01, 2009
- People's for wish for democracy remains: Chinese writer Bi Feiyu (Interview) - Jan 14, 2012
- Mao's grandson becomes general in Chinese Army - Aug 02, 2010
- Chairman Mao's grandson becoming a major general invites ridicule from critics - Aug 04, 2010
- Beijing takes anti-terror measures ahead of National Day celebrations - Aug 24, 2009
- Cannon firing, flag raising marks 60th anniversary celebration of China - Oct 01, 2009
- China orders internet whitewash amid coup rumours - Mar 23, 2012
- China mourns mudslide victims with half-mast flags - Aug 15, 2010
- Now, a museum for army slogans in China - Jun 11, 2011
- Mao Zedong's grandson promoted as major general - Aug 02, 2010
- Business booms at China's tourist sites - Oct 08, 2010
- China mourns mudslide victims, toll rises to 1,248 (Roundup) - Aug 15, 2010
- China wants its people to do good - Mar 03, 2012
- China puts history of communist party online - Jan 02, 2011
Tags: birth anniversary, birthday cakes, chairman mao, great helmsman, mao zedong, marathon race, revolutionary leader, tian anmen, traditional chinese food, xinyu
