Humphrey Visit
Receives US Vice President Hubert Humphrey during his visit to Taiwan.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1966 in China
Explore 60 historical events and records for China in 1966.
Historical records for China in 1966
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 60 unique records.
60Unique records
1 of 2Page
23Named events on this page
19Named people on this page
5Places on this page
January
February
February Outline
The February Outline attempts to limit cultural criticism and is later attacked by Mao's allies
March
Emergency Powers Expansion
The National Assembly expands the Temporary Provisions, allowing the President to establish a body for policies concerning suppression of Communist rebellion.
Fourth Presidential Term
Wins another presidential term after emergency constitutional provisions are expanded, continuing in office with Yen Chia-kan as Vice President.
Hangzhou Meeting
Mao directs criticism of the February Outline and prepares to overturn Peng Zhen's leadership of the cultural campaign
May
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Qi Benyu is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Chen Boda becomes head of the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Zhang Chunqiao is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Guan Feng is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Wang Li is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Jiang Qing becomes a powerful member of the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Jiang Qing is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group and promotes radical cultural campaigns
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Yao Wenyuan is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Mao replaces the old cultural apparatus with the Central Cultural Revolution Group dominated by his allies
Five-Man Group
The Five-Man Group is abolished when the May 16 Notification reverses Peng Zhen's approach
May 16 Notification
Liu Shaoqi becomes a principal target as the Cultural Revolution turns against the party establishment
May 16 Notification
Deng Xiaoping is soon drawn into the attack on senior party leaders after the May 16 Notification
May 16 Notification
Mao authorises the May 16 Notification warning that bourgeois representatives have infiltrated the party
May 16 Notification
Mao launches the Cultural Revolution through the May 16 Notification against alleged bourgeois elements in the party
Purge
Peng Zhen is purged after Mao rejects the February Outline and the Five-Man Group
June
Big-Character Poster
Mao approves broadcasting Nie Yuanzi's poster, turning campus criticism into a national movement
Sweep Away All Monsters
People's Daily calls on the masses to sweep away monsters and demons in support of the Cultural Revolution
Official Visit to Romania
Visits Romania and meets leaders including Nicolae Ceausescu and Ion Gheorghe Maurer.
August
Bombard the Headquarters
Mao writes Bombard the Headquarters, signalling an attack on senior party leaders
Sixteen Points
Lin Biao supports the Sixteen Points decision that legitimises mass rebellion
Sixteen Points
The party adopts the Sixteen Points, defining the programme of the Cultural Revolution
Destroy Four Olds
Jiang Qing encourages attacks on old culture as Red Guards mobilise in Beijing
Red August
Song Binbin is linked to the Red Guard moment when Mao receives student rebels in Tiananmen Square
Red Guard Armband
Mao wears a Red Guard armband, giving symbolic endorsement to student rebels
Red Guard Rally
Lin Biao appears with Mao at the first great Red Guard rally in Tiananmen Square
Red Guard Rally
Mao receives and addresses a vast Red Guard rally in Tiananmen Square
Death of Lao She
Lao She dies after being humiliated and beaten by Red Guards
Cultural Revolution
Mao calls on students and Red Guards to rebel against party and cultural authorities
Destroy Four Olds
Red Guards attack old ideas, culture, customs and habits under Mao's revolutionary slogans
Red Guard
Orders the formation of a "Red Guard" of students to attack opposing party members
Red Guard
Orders the formation of a "Red Guard" of students to attack opposing party members
Red Guard Harassment
Zhou Enlai intervenes to protect Sun Yat-sen's widow Song Qingling from Red Guard attacks
October
Destroy Four Olds
Lin Biao praises Mao's line and attacks old culture, customs and habits
Nuclear Power
China tests its first nuclear missile
Cultural Revolution
Tao Zhu rises briefly before being attacked by Cultural Revolution radicals
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.