228 Memorial Monument Introduction
Construction of the Monument: On February 28, 1989, the first【228 Memorial Monument】in Taiwan was established in Chiayi City, witnessing the trajectory of democratic development. The February 28 Incident, which occurred in 1947, is a heartbreaking historical tragedy. At that time, both the central and provincial governments viewed the incident as a taboo, thoroughly obstructing the action of building a monument. However, through the persistence of individuals like Chang Po-ya and local citizens, the monument was finally erected in 1989 in Chiayi, becoming the first【228 Memorial Monument】in the country. This white, three-dimensional conical monument is inscribed with three plaques detailing the process of building the monument, the spirit behind it, and a brief history of the February 28 Incident. It serves as a reminder to learn from history, move beyond sorrow, respect life, and pursue justice. The 228 Monument’s inscription states that after World War II, Taiwan was liberated from Japanese rule, leading people to believe they could live freely and democratically. However, the Chinese regime that took over Taiwan sent Chen Yi and his corrupt officials, leading to rampant privilege, combined with a devastated post-war economy and soaring prices, leaving the Taiwanese people in hardship and resentment, with voices of resistance rising across the country. On February 27, 1947, in Dadaocheng, Taipei, an incident occurred when officials were pursuing illegal tobacco vendors. A female vendor was brutally injured, followed by the shooting of protesting citizens. The next day, on February 28, Taipei citizens petitioned for severe punishment against the perpetrators and were met with machine gun fire, sparking island-wide protests demanding total government reform, known as the【February 28 Incident】. Initially, Chen Yi pretended to compromise but secretly requested troops from China. When the mainland forces landed, they immediately launched a massacre and a campaign to clear the countryside, resulting in countless deaths and injuries among Taiwan's elite, with many suffering in silence for forty years, without consolation. Today, we build this monument to seek justice for the victims, affirm the sacrifices and contributions of our predecessors, and pray that future generations remember these historical lessons, vowing to safeguard Taiwan, and uphold justice and peace forever.
