Chiang Kai-shek was born on October 31,1887, at Chikow, in the district of Fenghua, in Chekiang Province. His family was highly respected in the district. His grandfather was generous and eager to serve the public; his father strict and upright. Young Chiang's upbringing was almost entirely in the hands of his devoted mother, who educated him to cultivate, amid adversities, the virtues of Great Wisdom, Great Benevolence, Great Courage and strong will-power. While studying military science in Japan. Chiang Kai-shek joined the revolutionary organization of the Tungmenhui. The eventful first meeting of young Chiang and Dr. Sun Yat-sen took place in June, 1910, in Tokyo. From that day Chiang followed Dr. Sun as his teacher and devoted himself to the life-long task of National Revolution.

When the Whampoa Military Academy was established in 1924 to train officers for the revolutionary army, Chiang Kai-shek was named its commandant. When it was decided to launch a Northern Expedition to bring Central and North China under the Kuomintang government, Chiang was named Commander-in-chief in 1926. In a series of hard fought drives, directed personally by Chiang, the Expedition took Changsha, Wuchang, Hankow and then Nanking. Nanking was designated as the seat of the government. In June, 1928, Chiang's forces captured Peiping. In December the Northeast region (Manchuria) swung its support to the Kuomintang. The task of uniting the whole nation was completed. Chiang's achievement in leading the revolutionary armies from Canton, in the far South, to Peiping, in the North, was a stupendous event in China's history. In 1931, China faced a new crisis-this time from Japan. The Japanese, beginning on September 18, 1931, seized Mukden and other Manchurian key points, and poured a powerful army into Manchuria. Then they advanced toward North China. Meanwhile, the communists had set up a little Soviet in the hilly regions of Kiangsi and extended their sway dangerously in the middle reach of the Yangtze River, killing and robbing the innocent. Facing the double threat, Chiang Kai-shek formulated a farsighted policy of "maintaining internal security first and then expelling foreign invasion." In 1934 the Communists were finally driven out of Kiangsi province. They fled to the bleak northern section of Shensi, with only 2,000 to 3,000 followers remaining. People of seven provinces were thus freed from Communist harassment.

After the failure of the attempt of Sian coup d'etat, the Japanese watched intently for an incident which would give them a pretext to start new hostilities. They found it on July 7, 1937, at the Marco Polo Bridge near Peiping. Their intention to invade China was exposed. Chiang Kai-shek regarded the incident as reaching the point where the people had to make sacrifices to defend their nation, since peace had proved hopeless. He called upon his compatriots rise up for all-out resistance against Japanese aggression. From 1937 till the end of the war in 1945, the Chinese armed forces under Generalissimo Chiang fought more than 1,100 major battles and over 38,900 minor battles. Chiang's strategy of "trading space for time" finally crushed the enemy's invasion after eight long years. Japan's attack on America at Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941, changed the whole perspective of the war. China officially declared herself at war with Japan. The war against Japan now became part of the Second World War. Chiang was appointed Supreme Commander for the Allied forces in the China Theater.

One result of the new relationship of China to the Allied Nations was final success by Chiang Kai-shek in his long struggle to free his country from unequal treaties. On October 10, 1942, the United States and Britain voluntarily renounced extra-territorial rights. Some other nations followed suit. An evil which had burdened and sadden China for more than 100 years was at last ended. In November 1943, Chiang attended the Cairo Conference with Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Chiang insisted during the conference that Manchuria, Taiwan and the Pescadores-Chinese territories which had been seized by Japan be returned to China after the war. With regard to the institution of the Japanese monarchy, Chiang thought that should best be left to the Japanese people to decide.

The island of Taiwan was restored to China as Japan surrendered at the end of the war. On Oct. 25, 1946, Chiang Kai- shek flew to Taipei to preside over the celebrations. He urged his fellow countrymen in Taiwan to unite and redouble their efforts for the reconstruction of China under the Three Principles of the People. The Constitution of the Republic of China was put into effect on December 25, 1947. Chiang Kai-shek was elected as the president of the Republic of China by the National Assembly on March 29, 1948, and assumed the Presidency on May 20. Under his leadership China entered a new era of constitutional democracy.

After defeat of Japanese militarism a still more formidable enemy arose in Communist imperialism. The Chinese Communists took advantage of China's war-torn situation to launch a nationwide rebellion against the National Government. Chiang showed the extent of his patriotism in January of 1949 when he temporarily retired from the presidency and went to his home town, hopeful that this would open the way to peaceful settlement of civil conflict. His unselfish gesture was of no avail. Negotiations collapsed. During the critical days of early 1949, Chiang appeared in succession in Shanghai, Canton, Chungking, Chengtu and other beleaguered cities to hearten the faltering defenders and to aid their last desperate efforts. In December 1949, the national capital was moved temporarily to Taipei. Acting President Li Tsung-jen declined to come to Taiwan. The nation was desperately in need of strong leadership. The Legislative Yuan, reflecting the desires of all the people, asked Chiang to resume the presidential office on March 1, 1950. Under Chiang Kai-shek's leadership, the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan carried out a revolutionary land-reform program that improved the farmers' lives. The foundation of democracy was consolidated through local self-government. Agricultural and industrial production increased and economic construction was expanded. Nine years of free schooling improved the educational level. The rich traditions of Chinese culture were rediscovered and rejuvenated. Military power was strengthened for the anti-Communist cause. And Chiang wrote two supplementary chapters on the Principle of People's Livelihood to update and enrich Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People, the basic framework for national construction. Chiang Kai-shek was re-elected president of the Republic of China 1954, 1960, 1966 and 1972. The nation needed his leadership and the people fully supported him. Despite the turmoil and chaos of the world situation, he was optimistic and adhered to his principles with perseverance.

Chiang Kai-shek offered all he had and his life for the nation and the people. This placed stress and strain on his health. In the spring of 1975 he was ill with pneumonia. After treatment he showed signs of improvement. Unfortunately he suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away at 11:50 P.M. on April 5, 1975. He was 89. In his Last Testament, President Chiang urged his compatriots to realize the Three Principles of the People, recover the mainland, rejuvenate the national culture and remain a stronghold of democracy. He also hoped that people would brace themselves for the great tasks ahead, and never stop until they had carried out the responsibilities for National Revolution. The body of President Chiang lay in state at the Sun Yet-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei from April 9 to April 16 while 2,500,000 mourners came to pay their last homage to the great leader. More than 20 countries sent special envoys and delegations to participate in the funeral service on April 16. After the service, the casket was convoyed to the temporary resting place at Tzuhu.

The Hsueh-tou Temple at Chikow, President Chiang's home town.

Whampoa military Academy opening ceremony.

A view of the Whampoa Academy near Canton.

Commander-in-chief of the National Revolutionary Army.

Wuhan people turn out en masse to welcome Chiang Kai-shek.

Chiang Kai-shek and Sun Yat-sen at the Canton Station.

Chiang starts the Northern Expedition in July 1926.

The battle of Waichow before the Northern Expedition.

Nanking is proclaimed the national capital in 1927.

Lukouchiao, where the Japanese began their attack.

Declaring the determination against Japanese aggression in 1937.

The National Army completes building the Sino-India Highway.

The National Army wins final victory at Changsha.

Signing autographs as commander of Allied forces in China Theater.

Ho Ying-chin accepts the Japanese surrender in Nanking.

Chiang Kai-shek talked with Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill at Cairo.

Ambassador Wei Tao-ming and Cordell Hull sign treaty ending U.S. extra territorial rights.

President and Madame Chiang pay respect to Dr. Sun Yat-sen at Mausoleum in Nanking.

After election as the first President of the Republic of China.

Signing Constitution of the Republic of China, 1947.

A presidential ballot in local elections in Taiwan.

Receiving the cheers of the people after resuming the office in 1950.

Inspection of an arsenal.

The Republic of China's army.

The Republic of China's naval fleet.

President Chiang inspect the air forces.

Tsengwen Reservoir in southern Taiwan.

The Shihmen Dam in northern Taiwan.

The people celebrated inauguration ceremony in 1966.

People wait to pay their last respects to the late President.

People in Taipei downtown section could not hide their sadness.

The funeral hall decorated with pine trees and white chrysanthemum.