Ten years of swimming
After his first swim in the Yangtze River in May 1956, Mao Zedong formed an indissoluble bond with this river that rolled eastward. By July 1966, he had swam in the Yangtze River 21 times in ten years. Among them, 18 were in Wuhan, one each in Huangshi, Jiujiang, and Anqing.
Water created his broad mind and gave him infinite wisdom in life. It was with this courage and courage that Mao Zedong finally became a great man who led the Chinese people to change their own destiny and the appearance of the country.
Being able to swim in the Yangtze River is an important reason why Mao Zedong liked to come to Wuhan in summer. According to historical records, Mao Zedong swam the Yangtze River in Wuhan in eight years in the past ten years: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1966.
On September 5, 1957, with a level 4 northerly wind on the river and strong water and high waves, Mao Zedong launched a swim in the Yangtze River at Pier 5 of the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge.
The unforgettable "7·16"
On July 16, 1966, the river city Wuhan had clear skies and people on both sides of the Yangtze River were celebrating. Wuhan's 5,000 swimmers followed Mao Zedong's teachings of swimming in the rivers and seas to exercise and held the city's 11th Cross-Yangtze River Swimming Competition.
At 9 a.m., Mao Zedong boarded the W506 speedboat (later changed to the 716 boat) to review the swimming army crossing the Yangtze River. Facing the athletes crossing the river, Mao Zedong was very excited when he heard the cheers rising from wave to wave. He waved to the swimmers in the river from the speedboat deck and shouted: "Hello, comrades! Long live the people!"
On this day, after the mass cross-river activity, the 73-year-old Mao Zedong was accompanied by provincial and municipal leaders. At 11 o'clock, we entered the river near Wuchang Dadikou Pier and swam down the river until the river started to rise near Qingshan Wuhan Iron and Steel Company. When he boarded the speedboat, he was still full of energy and not tired.
On July 16, 1966, Mao Zedong took a swim in the Yangtze River in Wuhan.
At the turn of spring and summer ten years ago, Mao Zedong swam in the Yangtze River in Wuhan three times and wrote the heroic and magnificent poem "Shui Tiao Ge Tou·Swimming ". In the midsummer of 1966, Mao Zedong took a swim in the river again. "No matter the wind or waves, it is better than strolling in a leisurely garden" , which lasted 1 hour and 5 minutes and covered 30 miles.
Shuitiao Getou·Swimming
only drinks Changsha water and eats Wuchang fish .
Thousands of miles across the Yangtze River, Chutianshu is as far as the eye can see.
Regardless of the wind and waves, it is better than taking a leisurely stroll.
I feel relaxed today.
Zi said in Kawakami: The deceased is like a man!
The wind is moving, the turtle and the snake are quiet, and the grand plan is aroused.
A bridge connects the north and south, turning the natural chasm into a thoroughfare.
The stone walls of Xijiang River were erected, and the clouds and rain of Wushan Mountain were cut off.
The high gorge led out of Pinghu Lake.
The goddess should be fine, which should shock the world.
The news of Mao Zedong's swim in the Yangtze River spread throughout China, giving great encouragement and strength to the people across the country. This was Mao Zedong's last swim in the Yangtze River.
The Great River Wave
Inspired and promoted by Mao Zedong’s feat of swimming in the Yangtze River, there was a craze for swimming in rivers, lakes and seas in Wuhan and even across the country. From 1956 to the present, Wuhan has successfully held dozens of Yangtze River crossing events, and has gradually developed into a unique international river crossing event - the China Wuhan International Yangtze River Crossing Festival, which has become a cultural and sports event that combines local traditions with the spirit of the times and showcases Wuhan , expand a broad stage for exchanges.
The vast river and mass swimming activities are a beautiful scenery in Wuhan; "Riding the wind and waves, not afraid of hardships and dangers, and marching forward bravely" 's spirit of crossing the river is the embodiment of Wuhan's "dare to be the first and pursue excellence" city spirit important elements.The people of Wuhan continue to inherit and innovate the spirit of crossing the river, strive to build a core city in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and a national central city, and write a new chapter of high-quality development in the new era.
Source: Wuhan Jiangtan Office Scholarly Wuhan
Editor: Qianqian
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