Publication date: 1 Dec 2023 The Taiwan Shinminpo was the only newspaper published by Taiwanese during the Japanese colonial era, representing the voices of the Taiwanese people in contrast to the official stance of the Taiwan Nichinichi Shinpo. Its reports covered a wide range of topics, making it a rich source for diverse research subjects. In recent years, the Institute of Taiwan History, Academia Sinica has unearthed exclusive archives of the daily editions of Taiwan Shinminpo from 1938 to 1941. Collaborating with the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, they have archived newspapers from 1933 as well. According to statistics, these archives include nearly a hundred local special reports covering topics such as economic industries, infrastructure, humanities, history, and school education. The content describes local cultural characteristics and industrial history, offering valuable records for understanding local communities. On July 14-15, 1938, Taiwan Shinminpo published a special issue for two consecutive days titled "Celebrating the Restoration of the Taichung Line," totaling four full pages. This commemorated the reopening of the Taichung railway line, which had been severed since the 1935 Hsinchu-Taichung earthquake. This earthquake caused numerous casualties and severed north-south transportation, significantly affecting local society and economy. Through archived newspapers, diaries, photos, old documents, and maps, this article revisits the scene of the 1935 earthquake, reviewing Taiwan's most severe natural disaster in history and the subsequent reconstruction efforts. |
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