228 Memorial Day on February 28 commemorates an incident that had a profound impact on the people and society of Taiwan.
More than four decades later, the once taboo subject of the February 28 Incident has finally come to world attention. In the 1970s , the February 28 Justice and Peace Movement was initiated by citizen's groups, and in 1992 the Executive Yuan promulgated the "February 28 Incident Research Report." In 1995, former President Lee Teng-hui made a formal apology on behalf of the government. Other official amends have been made since that time. Taipei New Park was renamed 228 Memorial Park, and monument was erected in the park. The government also designated February 28 as Peace Memorial Day. Moreover, the February 28 Incident Memorial Foundation was established to compensate and comfort victims and their families, and to help restore the standing of those defamed in the incident. The government has also held many memorial services, concerts, art
exhibitions, group runs, and other activities to commemorate the suffering
and loss of many innocent people. These actions aim to make up for the
spiritual scars left behind by the incident. It is also hoped that the
lessons of history will help the people of Taiwan respect, trust, and
forgive one another.
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