April 4, 1976, China's Tomb-sweeping Day, marked the first anniversary of the passing of President Chiang Kai-shek. A solemn ceremony was held in the morning at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei. President Yen Chia-kan presided. Madame Chiang Kai-shek, the late President's family members and more than 2,700 government and civic leaders, foreign dignitaries, representatives of overseas Chinese communities took part in the ceremony. President Yen called President Chiang's passing was "an irretrievable loss to our people, our country and the world," said Yen, "however, his spirit continues to illumine our way like the sun in the heavens or a beacon on pitch-black nights." President Yen also pointed out:"The teachings bequeathed us by President Chiang provide the criteria for the conduct to which the people aspire, and also indicate the direction for our endeavors of national recovery and reconstruction. We must keep these criteria always in mind, we must over come all hardships and pass all tests to assure victory and eventual success."
Madame Chiang Kai-shek, accompanied by Premier and Mrs. Chiang Ching-kuo, visited the temporary resting place of the late President at Tzuhu at 11:00 a.m. April 4. President Yen Chia-kan and other leaders of the Central Government went to Tzuhu at 3:00 p.m. to pay their homage. Among other visitors to Tzuhu throughout the day were 1,100 representatives of overseas Chinese communities, diplomats stationed in the Republic of China. Special missions from Korea, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Ivory Coast, Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria, representatives of foreign institutes in Taiwan.
Thousands upon thousands of people braved the cold wind and rain to pay their respects at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on the first anniversary to the passing of President Chiang Kai-shek. The scene was similar to that of a year ago. They came from all parts of the island, representing all ages and all walks of life. More than 800,000 people throughout the nation climbed 181 mountains separately to hold memorial ceremonies on the peaks. Taiwan's local governments and civic organizations, religious groups and freedom-seekers who had escaped from the mainland all held various Taipei meetings in memory of the late President.
President Yen Chia-kan addresses at the ceremony.
President Yen leads high ranking officials to pay respects to the late President at Tzuhu.
Diplomats visit Tzuhu to pay their respects to the late President.
Overseas Chinese leaders bow before the sarcophagus.
Madame Chiang and family members bow at President Chiang's sarcophagus.
Friends from other countries pay homage to the great leader.
The people from all circles bow in deep sorrow.
Exhibition on President Chiang's Life and Career at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei.
Exhibition on President Chiang's Life and Career at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei.
124,000 people pay their respects to President Chiang at the Memorial Hall on the anniversary.
124,000 people pay their respects to President Chiang at the Memorial Hall on the anniversary.
Buddhists recite scriptures to observe the anniversary.
Chorus presentation at the ceremony by the overseas Chinese.
Premier Chiang visited the Plum Terrace near Tzuhu recently and wrote an article “Thoughts of My Father at Plum Terrace.”