Double Ten Day

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A symbol often seen during Double Ten Day (it is the combination of two characters for "10" (十)

Double Ten Day (traditional Chinese: 雙十節; simplified Chinese: 双十节; pinyin: Shuāng Shí Jié) is the national day of the Republic of China (ROC; now in Taiwan) and celebrates the start of the Wuchang Uprising of October 10, 1911 (1911-10-10), which led to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty. It is therefore also known in Chinese as National Celebration Day (traditional Chinese: 國慶日; simplified Chinese: 国庆日; pinyin: Guóqìng Rì).

In Taiwan, the official celebration starts with raising of the flag of the Republic of China in front of the Presidential Building, followed by public singing of the National Anthem of the Republic of China. It is then followed by celebrations in front of the Presidential Building, including a military parade (the military parade was not held from 1992 to 2006, to ease cross strait tensions). Later in the day, the President of the Republic of China addresses the country and fireworks displays are held throughout the major cities of the island.

Outside of Taiwan, Double Ten Day is also celebrated by many Overseas Chinese communities. Sizable Double Ten Day parades occur yearly in Chinatowns of San Francisco and Chicago.

In mainland China, it is celebrated as the anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution / Wuchang Uprising.

Before the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to the PRC in 1997, many ROC supporters there would display patriotic and colorful flags (mainly the national flag of ROC) to celebrate Double Ten Day. While the day continues to be celebrated in Hong Kong after the transfer of sovereignty to the mainland, larger festivities now occur on October 1, the National Day of the PRC.