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Sun Yat-sen

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Sun Yat-sen was a very important leader from China.

Sun Yat-sen Museum 2
Sun Yat-sen Museum 2

He was a doctor, a thinker, and a revolutionary. He helped start the Republic of China. He also founded a political party called the Kuomintang. People call him a statesman because he worked for his country. He is famous for helping end the old way of ruling China. Today, people in both Taiwan and China honor his memory.

Kuomintang Emblem
Kuomintang Emblem

Sun's life began in a small village in 1866.

Sun Yat Sen's family 1901
Sun Yat Sen's family 1901

His family was not rich. His father worked as a tailor and a porter. When Sun was young, he moved to Hawaii to live with his brother. He went to the ʻIolani School there. He studied many things like English, science, and history. He even learned about American ideas for government. These ideas stayed with him for the rest of his life.

After his time in Hawaii, Sun returned to China. He went to Hong Kong to study medicine. He was a very good student in his medical class. In 1892, he earned his license to be a doctor.

Sun Yat-sen on death bed picture at The Museum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen in Cuiheng
Sun Yat-sen on death bed picture at The Museum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen in Cuiheng

But Sun wanted to do more than just heal sick people. He wanted to fix the country too. He joined groups that wanted to change how China was ruled. He helped start the Revive China Society to fight for a better future.

Sun had a very busy and difficult life. He traveled to many places like Japan and the United Kingdom.

Montréal - Place Sun Yat-Sen 20170814
Montréal - Place Sun Yat-Sen 20170814

Sometimes he had to live in exile. This means he had to live far away from home for safety. In 1911, a huge revolution finally happened in China. This event ended the rule of the Qing dynasty. Sun became the first president of the new Republic of China in 1912.

Flag of China (1912–1928)
Flag of China (1912–1928)

Sun had three big ideas for his people. He called them the Three Principles of the People. He wanted China to have nationalism and democracy. He also wanted the people to have a good livelihood. These ideas were meant to make China a modern nation. Sun died in 1925 from gallbladder cancer.

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum - 54400562695
Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum - 54400562695

Even though he died, his ideas changed the world forever. His birthplace was even renamed Zhongshan to honor him.

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🖼️ Images & Media (44)
File:三民主義統一中國 (cropped).svg
三民主義統一中國 (cropped).svg
File:Flag of China (1912–1928).svg
Flag of China (1912–1928).svg
File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg
File:Flag of the Republic of China.svg
Flag of the Republic of China.svg
File:Kuomintang Emblem.svg
Kuomintang Emblem.svg
File:Signature of Sun Yat Sen - China Document - dark version.svg
Signature of Sun Yat Sen - China Document...
File:Signature of Sun Yat Sen - China Document 21 Jan 1912 - dark version.svg
Signature of Sun Yat Sen - China Document...
File:The signature of Sun Yat-sun.svg
The signature of Sun Yat-sun.svg
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Speaker Icon.svg
File:FREE TRADE FREE LAND FREE MEN (Georgist campaign button).svg
FREE TRADE FREE LAND FREE MEN (Georgist...
File:Emblem-money.svg
Emblem-money.svg
File:五一天安门广场孙中山像.jpg
五一天安门广场孙中山像.jpg

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