National Day of the People's Republic of China Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

National Day of the People's Republic of China
中华人民共和国国庆节

Flower garden at Beihai Park in 2004. The signboards read 国庆 (guóqìng; 'national celebration')

Also called

China Day, China's birthday, PRC Day, 10-1

Observed by

People's Republic of China, including Hong Kong and Macau

Type

Historical, cultural, nationalist

Significance

The day of the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949

Celebrations

Festivities, including fireworks and concerts (a grand military parade every 10 years)

Date

1 October

Next time

1 October 2025

Frequency

Annual

First time

1 October 1949

Chinese name

Simplified Chinese

国庆节

Traditional Chinese

國慶節

Literal meaning

national celebration holiday

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	guóqìng jié
Gwoyeu Romatzyh	gwochinq jye
Wade–Giles	kuo²-chʻing⁴ chieh²
IPA	[kwǒ.tɕʰîŋ tɕjě]
Wu
Suzhounese	kueh chin tsih
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization	gwok-hing jit
Jyutping	gwok3-hing3 zit3
Southern Min
Tâi-lô	kok-khìng tsueh

Portuguese name

Portuguese

Dia Nacional da República Popular da China

National Day is a very important holiday in China. It is celebrated every year on October 1st. This day remembers when the People's Republic of China was officially created. This happened on October 1, 1949. On that day, Mao Zedong announced the new country.

Even though the main day is October 1st, people in China usually get a seven-day holiday. This long break is called Golden Week. During this time, there are many celebrations across the country. These include fireworks, concerts, and cultural events. Sometimes, a huge military parade is held in Beijing. This happens on special anniversaries, like every 10 years.

How National Day Started
National Celebrations
Images for kids
See also

How National Day Started

The People's Republic of China was founded after a long period of conflict. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) fought against the Kuomintang (KMT) government. This was known as the Chinese Civil War. After the war, the KMT government moved to the island of Taiwan.

On October 1, 1949, the new government was officially formed. A big ceremony took place in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Mao Zedong, the leader of the CCP, made a speech. He announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. The first public parade of the new army also happened that day.

Soon after, a leader named Ma Xulun suggested that October 1st should be the National Day. Other important leaders, including Mao Zedong, agreed. On December 2, 1949, it was officially decided. From 1950 onwards, October 1st would be the National Day of the People's Republic of China.

The first big National Day celebrations were held in Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1950. Over the years, the way the holiday is celebrated has changed. Sometimes there are smaller celebrations, and sometimes there are huge parades. For example, big military parades were held for the 35th, 50th, 60th, and 70th anniversaries of the country. The most recent grand celebration was in 2019 for the 70th anniversary.

National Celebrations

National Day kicks off the Golden Week holiday. This is a popular time for travel and family gatherings.

People celebrate National Day all over mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The government organizes many fun events. You can see fireworks, concerts, sports, and cultural shows. Famous places like Tiananmen Square in Beijing are decorated. You might see large portraits of important leaders like Mao Zedong. Chinese people living in other countries also celebrate this special day.

Wreath-Laying Ceremony

A special ceremony used to be held on National Day. People would lay wreaths at the Monument to the People's Heroes. This monument honors the many Chinese people who died fighting for their country. Since 2014, this ceremony happens on September 30th. This day is now called Martyrs' Day. Important leaders attend this ceremony.

Flag-Raising Ceremony

Every National Day, a flag-raising ceremony takes place at Tiananmen Square. This is a very important event, especially in years when there isn't a big parade. The ceremony starts early in the morning. A special guard from the Beijing Garrison Honor Guard Battalion raises the flag. The National Marching Band of the PLA plays music.

Many people come to watch the ceremony in person. It is also shown live on TV and online. At the end of the ceremony, doves (birds) and colorful balloons are released into the sky.

Grand Military Parade

Marshal Lin Biao watching soldiers during the 10th anniversary military parade in 1959.

On special anniversaries, a huge military parade is held. Soldiers from the People's Liberation Army, People's Armed Police, and Militia march. Representatives from different parts of society also join. This includes groups like the Young Pioneers of China.

The parade takes place in Beijing on National Day morning. It is shown on TV across China and around the world. These parades were held every year from 1950 to 1959. Then they stopped until 1984. Since then, they have been held on important anniversaries, like in 1999 and 2009. The country's top leaders watch the parade.

Images for kids

National Day in 1950
National Day in 1950
Mao Zedong and Liu Shaoqi waving to the crowd on National Day 1950
The 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China in 1959
The 15th anniversary of the National Day of the People's Republic of China in 1964
Chairman Mao and President Liu on the 15th Anniversary of the National Day of the People's Republic of China in 1964
The 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China in 1999
2004 National Day celebration in Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Tiananmen Square, 2006 National Day of the PRC. The placard reads "Warmly celebrate the 57th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China". The portrait is that of Sun Yat-sen.
2008 National Day celebration in Macau
2012 National Day celebration in Hong Kong
Flower bed for celebrating the 70th National Day on Jianguomennei Street
A KJ-2000 and aerobatic J-10s for celebrating the 70th National Day