After four decades of brutal authoritarian rule, the Nationalists began loosening their grip. That was a major turning point. Eventually, the strongman's name was included. Today, the incident's 53rd anniversary, is Peace Memorial Day, now an annual public holiday in Taiwan. But the candidates in the March 18 presidential election will hardly pause from their non-stop campaigning.
Origins count for a lot in the island's boisterous politics.
In Yunlin county over the weekend, independent contender James Soong Chu-yu, who was born in Hunan province, tried to play down the fact. I've eaten more Taiwan rice and drunk more Taiwan water than Chen has. The question of Taiwan identity is inextricably linked to the island's relationship to mainland China. Beijing has made it clear that it would not like to see pro-independence candidate Chen win. If one of the others is elected, the situation could change.