On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, dragon boats race across the water, and the aroma of zongzi fills the air. As one of China's four major traditional festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival has long been woven into the cultural fabric of the Chinese nation. Amid the lively atmosphere of eating zongzi and watching dragon boat races, have we ever pondered the deeper cultural codes behind this festival? The Dragon Boat Festival is far more than a simple "Poet's Day" or "Zongzi Day"—it is a composite festival carrying multiple layers of cultural memory, its origins revealing a fascinating diversity. From ancient dragon totem worship to commemorating the great poet Qu Yuan, from seasonal customs for warding off epidemics in summer to celebrating loyalty and righteousness, the Dragon Boat Festival is like a prism, refracting the vibrant spectrum of Chinese civilization. The earliest origins of the Dragon Boat Festival can be traced back to summer solstice rituals during the pre-Qin period. Ancient Chinese observed celestial phenomena and noticed that in mid-summer during the fifth lunar month, the Azure Dragon constellation (Canglong Qixiu) ascended to the zenith of the southern sky, as described in the fifth line of the Qian hexagram in the *Book of Changes*: "The flying dragon is in the heavens." This period marked the peak of yang energy, while poisonous insects and diseases began to thrive. The people of the pre-Qin era regarded this day as the "evil month and evil day," forming customs such as bathing in orchid-infused water, hanging mugwort, and wearing fragrant sachets to ward off evil spirits. The *Xia Xiaozheng* records: "On this day, medicine is stored to eliminate toxic vapors," while the *Da Dai Liji* mentions "collecting orchids for bathing." These customs reflect the ancient people's observations of natural cycles and their wisdom in responding to them, forming the earliest cultural layers of the Dragon Boat Festival. As history progressed, the festival became closely intertwined with dragon totem worship. Scholar Wen Yiduo, in his work *Research on the Dragon Boat Festival*, proposed that the festival originated as a dragon totem sacrificial ceremony among the ancient Wu and Yue peoples of the middle and lower Yangtze River regions. With their water-rich environment, these communities revered the dragon as a totem, offering sacrifices through dragon boat racing and throwing zongzi into the water to pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests. Dragon boat races mimicked the form and movements of dragons, while zongzi may have been offerings to water deities. These primitive religious rituals gradually evolved into recreational activities, but their core—reverence for nature and prayers for life—has endured. In regions like the Miluo River in Hunan and Suzhou in Jiangsu, ancient rituals worshiping dragon gods are still preserved today, serving as vivid evidence of this origin theory. During the Warring States period, the cultural...

  Every year on May 1st, bright red flags flutter, and joyful songs fill the air as people enjoy their hard-earned holiday. Known as "Labor Day," this occasion is framed in official narratives as a celebration of the glory of labor and the spirit of dedication. Yet, when we peel back the layers of history, we discover that the true origins of International Workers' Day stand in stark contrast to today’s warm and fuzzy festivities—it was born from the bloody struggles of the working class, etched into the darkest chapters of capitalist development. The essence of this holiday is not an affirmation of the existing order but a call to remember the obscured history of class struggle.   On May 1, 1886, Chicago witnessed an unprecedented wave of worker strikes. More than 350,000 workers took to the streets with a simple and direct demand: an eight-hour workday. "Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what we will"—a slogan that seems normal today, but back then, it was a right workers had to fight for with their lives. In late 19th-century America, laborers typically worked 14 to 16 hours a day, sometimes even longer, for meager wages that barely sustained survival, all while toiling in perilous conditions. Capital, like a ravenous beast, devoured the sweat and blood of the working class.     What began as a peaceful protest soon turned into a bloodbath. On May 3, clashes broke out between striking workers at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and strike-breakers, prompting police to open fire, killing and injuring several. The next day, workers gathered at Haymarket Square to protest. As police moved in to disperse the crowd, a bomb was thrown, killing seven officers and at least four workers—an event later dubbed the "Haymarket Affair" or "Haymarket Massacre." Authorities responded with brutal repression: eight labor leaders were arrested, sentenced to death, and four were ultimately hanged. These activists were branded as "anarchists," their real crime being nothing more than daring to fight for the basic rights of the working class.   This history has been quietly erased from today’s official Labor Day narratives. In the U.S., mainstream society deliberately set Labor Day on the first Monday of September, distancing it from the radical origins of May 1. In socialist countries, while International Workers' Day was retained, its original meaning—as a rebellion against capitalist oppression—was hollowed out into the vapid slogan of "glorifying labor." The class-struggle essence of the holiday was diluted, repurposed as a harmless endorsement of the existing economic order. This politics of memory amounts to a systemic erasure of labor movement history.   To grasp the true significance of International Workers' Day, we must revisit the living conditions of the 19th-century working class. Workers then endured not only grueling hours but also deadly environments. A survey from 1...

The Lantern Festival, also known as Yuan Xiao Festival in China, falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It marks the end of the Spring Festival celebrations and is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. The origins of the Lantern Festival are rich in history and legend. One of the most widely accepted origins is related to the ancient Chinese practice of ancestor worship. In ancient times, people believed that the spirits of their ancestors would return to the world on the night of the 15th day of the first lunar month. To honor and welcome these spirits, they would light lanterns and offer sacrifices. The lanterns were thought to guide the spirits back to the underworld, while the offerings were meant to please them and ensure a good harvest and prosperity in the coming year. Another legend is associated with the ancient emperor, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. It is said that one year, a palace maid named Yuan Xiao was very sad because she could not go home to visit her family during the Spring Festival. The emperor's advisor, Dongfang Shuo, came up with a plan to help her. He told the emperor that the Fire God would set fire to the capital city on the 15th day of the first lunar month. To avoid the disaster, the emperor ordered people to light lanterns and set off firecrackers on that day. Yuan Xiao was able to go home to visit her family, and the fire was avoided. Since then, people have celebrated the Lantern Festival by lighting lanterns and setting off firecrackers. The festival also has connections with Buddhism. Buddhism was introduced to China during the Eastern Han Dynasty. The emperor, Emperor Ming, was a devout Buddhist. He ordered that lanterns be lit in the temples and palaces on the 15th day of the first lunar month to show respect to Buddha. This practice gradually spread to the common people, and the Lantern Festival became a time for people to display their creativity and skills in making lanterns. Over the centuries, the Lantern Festival has evolved into a grand celebration. In addition to lighting lanterns, people also enjoy eating sweet rice balls called "Yuan Xiao" or "Tang Yuan," which symbolize family unity and happiness. There are also lantern riddles, dragon and lion dances, and various other performances. The festival is a time for families to come together, for friends to socialize, and for people to enjoy the beauty of the night illuminated by countless lanterns. The origins of the Lantern Festival are a blend of religious beliefs, legends, and cultural traditions. It reflects the Chinese people's respect for nature, ancestors, and deities, as well as their love for life and family. Today, the Lantern Festival continues to be an important part of Chinese culture, bringing joy and light to people's lives.

First public release! The "work summary" of China Space Station is here, a list of achievements According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, on December 30, 2024, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the completion of the China Space Station, the China Manned Space Engineering Office publicly released the "China Space Station Scientific Research and Application Progress Report" (2024 Year) (hereinafter referred to as the "Report"), a systematic summary of the scientific research and application progress of China's space station over the past two years will be released on an annual basis based on the implementation progress. According to reports, in order to prepare the "Report", the China Manned Space Engineering Office organized hundreds of experts and scholars in various fields to conduct multiple rounds of discussions and evaluations. The published results covered 28 scientific research institutes, 21 universities and colleges, 2 A total of 53 units and 63 scientific research teams from 53 national laboratories and 2 high-tech enterprises participated in the completion, which gathered the wisdom and efforts of experts and scholars in various fields of China's space station science and application.

According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, on December 30, 2024, as China's space station is about to celebrate its second anniversary of full completion, the China Manned Space Engineering Office released for the first time the "Report on the Progress of Scientific Research and Application of China's Space Station" (2024) (hereinafter referred to as the "Report"), which systematically summarizes the progress of scientific research and application of China's space station over the past two years. Subsequently, it will be released annually based on the implementation progress. The Report thoroughly implements the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee. Focusing on promoting the vigorous development of space science, space technology, and space application fields in an all-round way, it mainly centers on areas such as space life and human research, microgravity physical science research, and space new technology and application. From the scientific and application projects that have already downlinked samples, obtained research data, completed in-orbit experiments, and achieved outstanding progress, it has carefully selected 34 representative scientific research and application achievements, as well as multi-dimensional and multi-form popular science and cultural activities for introduction. It centrally responds to the concerns and expectations of all sectors of society regarding the construction and development of China's space station, comprehensively showcases China's capabilities and innovative spirit in the field of space science and technology, and also summarizes beneficial experiences for subsequent breakthroughs in scientific mechanism cognition, acceleration of technology transfer, and achieving broad application benefits in space science research. It is reported that to ensure the quality of the Report, the China Manned Space Engineering Office organized hundreds of experts and scholars from various fields to conduct multiple rounds of discussions and evaluations. The released results involve 53 institutions, including 28 research institutes, 21 universities, 2 national laboratories and 2 high-tech enterprises, and 63 research teams participated in the completion of the work. The Report embodies the wisdom and hard work of a large number of experts and scholars in various fields of science and application of China's space station.  The completion of the space station marks China's successful construction of a large-scale manned space station system with distinct contemporary and Chinese characteristics, and the successful accomplishment of the three-step strategic goal of the manned space program, entering a new stage of space station application and development. Over the past two years, China has organized and completed four manned flights, three cargo resupply missions, and four spacecraft return missions. Five astro...

Donald Trump, once a real estate mogul, made a remarkable entry into U.S. politics as an unconventional political figure when he was first elected President in 2016. In 2024, Trump once again stood on the presidential campaign stage and ultimately succeeded in his re-election, continuing his political legacy. This article will delve into the process of Trump's presidential campaign, exploring the factors behind his success. 1. Unique Campaign Strategy Trump's campaign strategy was distinct from traditional approaches. He skillfully used social media and personal charisma to attract voters. During the 2016 campaign, Trump utilized platforms like Twitter to communicate directly with voters, bypassing traditional media channels and effectively shaping his image while conveying his campaign messages. In the 2024 campaign, Trump continued this strategy, increasing the intensity of both online and offline campaign activities. He organized large rallies and live-streamed events, further expanding his influence. 2. Precise Targeting of Voters Trump understood who his core supporters were—voters dissatisfied with the existing system and eager for change. He introduced the slogan "America First," emphasizing the protection of American workers' interests and the promotion of domestic manufacturing. This resonated with a significant number of middle and lower-income voters. Additionally, Trump focused on groups negatively affected by economic globalization, promising to improve their living conditions and thereby winning their votes. 3. Effective Opposition Attack Strategies In competing against opponents, Trump was adept at exploiting their weaknesses to shift voter attention and reinforce his own campaign advantages. For example, during the 2016 campaign, he continuously criticized Hillary Clinton over the "email scandal." In the 2024 campaign, Trump similarly launched strong attacks on his opponents regarding issues such as economic policies and foreign affairs, effectively reducing their support rates. 4. Strong Support from a Robust Team Trump's success would not have been possible without a highly efficient campaign team. This team included experienced political advisors and marketing experts, as well as elites from various fields such as business and law. They played crucial roles in fundraising, campaign strategy formulation, and legal support, providing solid backing for Trump's campaign activities. 5. Ability to Handle Challenges Throughout the campaign, Trump faced numerous challenges, including legal lawsuits and negative media coverage. However, he demonstrated exceptional resilience and crisis management skills, maintaining a positive attitude and countering opponents through various means. This helped stabilize and boost the confidence of his supporters. Conclusion Trump's re-election is not only a recognition of his personal charm and campaign strategies but also reflects the deep-seated contradictions and divisions within American society. O...

The Russian government has issued a shocking fine to Google, amounting to a 35-digit figure, approximately 200 multiplied by 10 to the power of 32 dollars. This figure not only far exceeds the total annual global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but also dwarfs Google's market capitalization. According to reports, this astronomical fine stems from 2020 when Google's video-sharing platform YouTube decided to block several Russian media accounts, leading to legal challenges against the company in Russia and ultimately resulting in a loss for Google. ### Background of the Fine In 2020, due to YouTube blocking multiple Russian media accounts, Russian courts ruled against Google, ordering it to restore the blocked Russian media accounts and imposing a daily fine of 100,000 rubles (approximately 7,340 RMB). According to the court ruling at the time, if Google failed to pay the fines within the next nine months, the fine amount would double daily until the court order was fully complied with. However, as time passed, the fine accumulated rapidly, eventually reaching an unbelievable height. ### Controversy Over the Fine Amount It is worth noting that the reported 35-digit fine is likely a misreport or misunderstanding. The figure already far surpasses the total annual global GDP, which was around $110 trillion (15 digits) in 2023. Given this, the actual fine should be a more reasonable number, though it still indicates the scale of the penalty. Regardless of the exact amount, such a fine demonstrates the Russian government's strong dissatisfaction with Google's actions and its determination to exert pressure through legal means. ### Impact and Follow-up Following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Google closed its branch in Russia, and its subsidiary declared bankruptcy. In this context, Russian police have seized assets exceeding $100 million from the bankrupt entity. Despite the astronomical claim made by the Russian side, Google stated in its latest financial report: "We do not believe that these ongoing legal matters will have a material adverse effect." This suggests that Google does not intend to pay the fine. ### Legal and Economic Implications From a legal perspective, while the Russian government has the right to make such claims domestically, it is extremely difficult to enforce them internationally, especially when dealing with multinational companies like Google. This means that unless Google voluntarily complies with the Russian judgment, the Russian government has almost no way of recovering the money. Additionally, any claims made by the Russian government are only valid within its own borders, and international institutions would need to follow different procedures and standards to hold Google accountable. In summary, the massive fine imposed by Russia on Google is not just a reaction to a single incident but part of a broader political and technological dispute between the two countries. While the exact amount of the fine ...

Qixi Festival, also known as the Begging for Dexterity Festival or Maiden's Day, is a traditional festival in China and some other East Asian countries, deeply intertwined with the beautiful legend of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maid. Celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month every year, this festival is not only a romantic celebration akin to Valentine’s Day but also an expression of longing for beautiful love and family reunion. Origins of Qixi The origins of the Qixi Festival can be traced back to the Han Dynasty, or possibly earlier. According to records in The Book of Songs ("Shijing"), there is mention of "the fire of July, clothes given in September," suggesting a possible connection to what would later become the Qixi Festival. By the Eastern Han period, the "Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital" ("Xijing Zaji") clearly documented celebratory activities associated with the Qixi Festival, marking its formal establishment as a recognized holiday. Legend of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maid The most famous traditional story associated with the Qixi Festival is that of the Cowherd and the Weaving Maid. It is said that the Heavenly Weaver Girl (Vega) fell in love with the earthly cowherd, but their love violated celestial rules and they were separated by the Milky Way by the Empress of Heaven. They are allowed to meet once a year on the magpie bridge, which forms on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. On this day, thousands of magpies fly to create a bridge, enabling the lovers to reunite briefly. This story expresses people’s yearning for pure love and sympathy for the pain of separation. Celebration Customs The traditional customs of the Qixi Festival are rich and varied, reflecting ancient Chinese women's pursuit of wisdom and skill. Most representative among these is the "Begging for Dexterity." Ancient maidens would pray to the Weaving Maid on this day for the acquisition of dexterous skills, demonstrating their abilities through threading needles and crafting handicrafts. In addition, people would eat Qiaoguo (cakes), release river lanterns, stargaze, recite poetry, paint, and hold various gatherings and games. Cultural Significance The Qixi Festival is more than just a festival about love; it carries profound cultural significance. It emphasizes the values of family harmony, marital affection, and also embodies the ancients' reverence for nature and curiosity about the mysteries of the universe. Over time, the Qixi Festival has become an emotional bond that transcends time and space, connecting love stories from ancient to modern times, becoming part of humanity's shared cultural heritage. In modern society, while many traditional customs have faded, the Qixi Festival remains an important moment for Chinese people to express affection. Couples exchange gifts and spend quality time together, while families and friends take the opportunity to deepen relationships and enjoy the joy of togetherness. During the ...