FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-136

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 18, 2026) – In Fun with Maps today, 60 years later, we revisit a revolution of change in China.

MAO ZEDONG THOUGHT

August 18, 1966 began what was known as “Red August” in China.

Earlier that year, Mao Zedong had declared the “Cultural Revolution”, a political movement to rid the Chinese society of bourgeois and capitalist influences. 

On August 18, one million members of the youth-driven Red Guards gathered in Tiananmen Square to show support for the movement.  The students wanted to destroy old ideas, customs and habits.  They burned books, trashed temples and damaged historical artifacts with the goal of obliterating traditional Chinese society.

The Cultural Revolution ideology reigned until Mao’s death in 1976 and assured that Chinese Communism took hold.  Chaos and violence were rampant during this time as street and city names were changed, and even some people had to change their names to ones more suitable for the new government.

Presented here is a map of China, Japan and Korea by Teesdale from 1831.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Be sure to visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.