Meaningful birthdays in Uncle Ho's life

(Baonghean.vn) - The August Revolution of 1945 was successful. On September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Since that day, many compatriots in the country and international friends have known Ho Chi Minh - the beloved leader of the Vietnamese people and known that May 19 is his birthday. And since then, on Uncle Ho's birthdays, compatriots, comrades and international friends have sent him beautiful bouquets of flowers and the best wishes.

Celebrating Uncle Ho's birthday for the first time

1946 was the year Uncle Ho's birthday was celebrated for the first time. On the morning of May 19, 1946, at the Northern Palace, representatives of the capital's children, militia, scouts and more than 50 representatives of the South came to celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday.
Moved by the affection of his compatriots and comrades, Uncle Ho said:

"I am not worthy of your care, because I am still a young man, only 56 years old, not old enough to be congratulated by you. Just because a journalist knows my birthday, he brings it up and makes you busy. Up until now, I have been a man of you, so from now on I still belong to you. I am determined to remain loyal to the Fatherland. I promise you to work hard, but I hope for your close cooperation. The national task is great, no one can do it alone. I hope that on this day next year you will make the Democratic Republic of Vietnam stronger and more prosperous.
Today my people gave me many flowers and cakes. Those things are valuable. But please think of your poor compatriots, rather than wasting them on me."

Uncle Ho met with the people of Hanoi capital. Photo: Document.

Also on May 19, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh received a number of groups who came to congratulate him on his birthday. When he heard that the New Life Committee had come to congratulate him, he immediately asked the representatives of the Committee:
- Who is the new life?
- Tell me how the new life movement is going?
Writer Nguyen Huy Tuong, on behalf of the delegation, told Uncle Ho: We have started by dividing into research and organization committees... But the main task is to clearly define the direction for the new life. The slogans "diligence, thrift, integrity, and uprightness" we consider are both insufficient and outdated...
- Old! How strange, is the food our ancestors ate in the past also old?- He argued.

The atmosphere of Uncle Ho's birthday celebration became bustling and joyful.

Writer Nguyen Huy Tuong immediately replied: The New Life Movement Committee has clearly defined three principles for the new life: Nation, democracy, and science. Uncle Ho immediately said:

- Very good, but we have to see what our people need now? How many villagers understand what democracy and science are? I ask you, when you go to advocate for a new way of life, what do you do first?

Everyone looked at each other, confused by Uncle Ho's question. Uncle Ho immediately patted his stomach and said:

- First of all is this. People need this first, they have to eat, if you don't eat anything, can you go and spread propaganda? And if you want to eat, what do you have to do? You have to work hard, that's "need".

Uncle also reminded: If we want the movement to be carried out thoroughly and effectively, the slogan must be practical and the person who mobilizes the masses must set an example.

On the same day, May 19, 1946, the Capital Youth force organized a demonstration to celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday.
Anniversary of the resistance war.

Uncle Ho visited Pac Bo people (Cao Bang)

Not long after the August Revolution succeeded, the French colonialists plotted to invade our country once again. On December 19, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh issued a call for national resistance. He, along with the Party Central Committee and the Government, returned to the Viet Bac base to continue leading the people in the resistance against the French colonialists. The long journey of resistance marked Uncle Ho's footsteps through Ha Dong, Son Tay, Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen... along with the hardships and sacrifices of his compatriots and comrades in the long resistance war. The occasions to celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday in the Viet Bac resistance base were extremely simple but warm and meaningful, with congratulations from his compatriots and comrades and bouquets of wild flowers from those who served.

The 1948 birthday was an unforgettable birthday for Uncle Ho. A few days before his birthday, comrade Loc (real name Nguyen Van Ty) - who served as a cook for Uncle Ho but was also a comrade and close friend who worked with Uncle Ho in Thailand and China and then followed Uncle Ho back to the country to participate in revolutionary activities - had just passed away due to malignant malaria. Therefore, Uncle Ho's birthday celebration took place quietly.

Early in the morning of May 19, 1948, the service comrades brought a bouquet of wild flowers to congratulate Uncle Ho on his birthday, wishing him good health and longevity. Receiving the bouquet of wild flowers and the congratulations from the service comrades, Uncle Ho was very moved and had tears in his eyes:

- I thank you. I suggest taking this bouquet of flowers to visit comrade Loc's grave.

So that year, Uncle Ho's birthday celebration was dedicated to talking about an example of loyalty to the Party, working for the Party all his life, without personal calculation or demanding status.

Celebrate Liberation Day

After 9 years of long, arduous and sacrificial resistance, our army and people have achieved great victories, the pinnacle of which was the Dien Bien Phu victory in early May 1954, successfully ending the resistance war against the French colonialists. The victory in the Dien Bien Phu campaign took place on the occasion of the birthday of beloved Uncle Ho, and was the most priceless and special gift that our army and people respectfully presented to Uncle Ho on his birthday anniversary. Perhaps this was the happiest and most joyful birthday memory in Uncle Ho's life. Sharing the common joy of our army and people in the Dien Bien Phu victory, Uncle Ho wrote a letter to the cadres and soldiers at the Dien Bien Phu front:

"To all officers and soldiers at the Dien Bien Phu front.
First of all, I would like to send my warmest regards to all the wounded soldiers. All of you, as well as the cadres and soldiers nationwide, have determined to achieve great victory to wish me a long life. I have decided to treat you. How you treat depends on your circumstances, but we will definitely treat you.

So Uncle and I are happy together. Happy to make new efforts, to overcome new difficulties and to achieve new victories. Uncle and the government intend to award all of you with the "Dien Bien Phu" Soldier badge. Do you agree?

Uncle Ho reminded you once again: Do not be arrogant because of victory, do not be subjective and underestimate the enemy, always be ready to fulfill the tasks assigned to you by the Party and the Government.
Uncle kisses you!
Uncle
Ho Chi Minh".

Dien Bien soldiers celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday (May 19, 1954).

On the occasion of his birthday, Uncle Ho also entertained the outstanding soldiers in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. On the morning of May 19, 1954, a delegation of 5 outstanding soldiers with the most merit in the Dien Bien Phu campaign was able to report their achievements to Uncle Ho and attend his birthday party. Having the honor of meeting Uncle Ho, all the soldiers were excited and moved. Uncle Ho praised them and asked about their fighting life in Dien Bien Phu as well as their family circumstances. Uncle Ho was moved when he heard about the difficult circumstances of the soldiers and encouraged them: The country will be independent, the people will certainly have enough to eat.

Uncle advised the soldiers: We must study hard to improve our cultural level. Only by studying can we serve the people and the revolution.

Celebrating his birthday, Uncle Ho wrote a "Top Secret" document

After the victory of the resistance war against the French colonialists, President Ho Chi Minh and the Party Central Committee and the Government returned to Hanoi from the Viet Bac resistance base. He was happy with the joy of peace in the North, but he was worried and anxious when the South was not yet liberated, the country was not yet unified, and the people of the South still had to endure many sufferings and sacrifices. On birthday anniversaries, he often did not agree to organize them to avoid wasting the time of his compatriots and comrades, or he often arranged to go on business trips far away to avoid disturbing everyone with his birthday wishes. The anniversary of his birthday in 1965 was a very special occasion: Uncle Ho turned 75 years old. It seemed that he had foreseen the harsh laws that any human life had to go through. Therefore, President Ho Chi Minh began to write his Will to leave to the entire Party, the entire army and the entire people.

On Monday morning, May 10, 1965, in the office in the stilt house in the Presidential Palace, at 9 o'clock - the most beautiful hour of the day, Uncle Ho wrote the first lines of the "Top Secret" document. At the beginning of the Will, Uncle Ho wrote: "On the occasion of my 75th birthday", "...This year, I am 75 years old. My spirit is still clear, my body is still healthy. However, I am also a "rare" generation.

Like many other occasions to celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday, on the occasion of his birthday in 1965, Uncle Ho was away on a business trip. Knowing this in advance, on May 14, 1965, comrades in the Politburo and some comrades in the Party Central Committee took the time to come and wish him a long birthday.

Receiving a bouquet of fresh flowers and congratulations from his comrades in the Politburo, Uncle Ho immediately asked:

- I want to know who organized today's meeting?

Comrade Truong Chinh, on behalf of the Politburo, said to Uncle Ho:

- Dear Uncle! On the occasion of your 75th birthday, on behalf of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, the Government, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, we would like to wish you good health and a long life.

He said emotionally:

- Thank you for your kindness, but while our people are fighting a difficult resistance war, all work is extremely urgent, organizing a birthday celebration for an individual is not appropriate.
He happily raised his hand to invite everyone to eat candy and cake and said: "Remember to leave some for the aunts and children at home too."

Everyone laughed out loud in the warm, intimate, and harmonious atmosphere.

On May 15, 1965, Uncle Ho left Hanoi to visit China.

Front page of the newspaper "National Resistance" - special issue.

On May 18, when he learned that his Chinese friends were preparing to celebrate his birthday, President Ho Chi Minh told Chinese Marshal Ye Jianying and the staff in charge of the guesthouse: “I came here on this occasion to avoid celebrating his birthday in the country. Therefore, I request that you comrades also not organize a birthday celebration…”.

On May 19, President Ho Chi Minh left Beijing to visit Confucius's hometown. In the afternoon of the same day, he visited the Confucius Mansion, Confucius Temple, and Confucius Forest. He talked a lot about the concept of "taking the people as the root" of Confucius and Mencius. On the way back, he wrote a Chinese poem called Phong Khuc Phu to record his feelings on his visit to Confucius's hometown:

“May 19, Interview with Qufu
Ancient pine and ancient temple, two robes
Where is the Confucius family power now?
Only the setting sun shines on the ancient stele"

Poetry translation:

“Visiting Qufu on May 19th
The old temple is still under the shade of the old pine trees
Where is the Confucian authority now?
The old stele glistens in the setting sun.

Celebrating Uncle Ho's last birthday

Entering 1969, Uncle Ho's health was somewhat weak. On the occasion of his birthday that year, he did not go on a "far business trip" like the previous years. And also different from the times when Uncle Ho revised his Will on his birthdays, for the first time in 4 years (1965-1969), Uncle Ho wrote and revised his Will later, from 9:30 to 10:30 on May 10, 1969. He wrote: "This year, I am just 79 years old, a rare type of person. But my spirit and mind are still clear, although my health is worse than a few years ago. When people are over 70 years old, the older they are, the worse their health is. That is not surprising... Therefore, I have these words ready, in case I have to go meet with Karl Marx, Lenin and other revolutionary elders, so that the people of the whole country, comrades in the Party and friends everywhere will not feel surprised"

On the afternoon of May 11, 1969, Uncle Ho visited and spoke with the delegates attending the conference of senior military officials. The entire hall resounded with joyful applause, excited to welcome Uncle Ho. Major General Vuong Thua Vu, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the entire army, brought flowers to wish Uncle Ho a long life on his birthday. He was moved to say:

- Dear Uncle! On the occasion of your 79th birthday, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the entire army, we would like to wish you good health and a long life. The entire armed forces of the people have absolute trust and are deeply grateful for the leadership, education, love and care of the Party and Uncle.

As soon as Comrade Vuong Thua Vu finished speaking, Uncle Ho happily took out the most beautiful flower to give to him.
On May 18, 1969, the officials in the Presidential Palace celebrated Uncle Ho's birthday. Everyone was excited to tell Uncle Ho about the achievements that the army and people of the South had won and respectfully presented them to him on his birthday. Comrade Vu Ky - Uncle Ho's personal secretary, on behalf of the office officials and the servants stood up and emotionally said: "Dear Uncle, our earnest wish is to try our best in every way so that Uncle can eat well and sleep well. We wish you good health and a long life, and lead the entire people to victory in the resistance war."

On the afternoon of May 18, 1969, comrades in the Politburo and some comrades in the Central Committee came to wish Uncle Ho a long life at the Politburo meeting house near the stilt house in the Presidential Palace area. The ceremony to celebrate Uncle Ho's 79th birthday was very simple and warm. Everyone stood around Uncle Ho. Comrade To Huu presented flowers, comrade Le Duan read the birthday wishes. Uncle Ho smiled happily and cordially, invited everyone to eat candy and did not forget to say, "Remember to bring some home for the aunts and children at home."

Early in the morning of May 19, 1969, President Ho Chi Minh still got up early as usual and tried to do the simplest exercises. He tried very hard and persistently to practice throwing the ball into the paper basket placed a few meters away under the stilt house. He was calmly preparing to leave for eternity but still patiently wanted to have more time and health to stay with his compatriots and comrades, because the revolutionary cause was not yet complete, the South was not yet liberated, the country was not yet unified.

Early morning of May 19, 1969, Uncle Ho received children of comrades who served him and came to wish him a long life.

Children celebrate Uncle Ho's 70th birthday (photo taken in 1960 in the lobby of the Presidential Palace)

At 9 a.m. on his 79th birthday, Uncle Ho sat down at his desk again, reviewing, editing, and adding to his Will. He changed three words on the first page:

He added the word "very" instead of the word "as usual" in the sentence "But the spirit and mind are still as clear as usual" to become "But the spirit and mind are still very clear".

In the sentence "When people are over 70 years old", Uncle Ho replaced the word "age" with the word "spring".

He used the word "will" instead of "must" in the sentence "in case I have to meet Karl Marx, Lenin and other revolutionary seniors".

At 10:30 a.m., Uncle Ho received Ms. Phan Thi Quyen (wife of martyr Nguyen Van Troi) and Ms. Nguyen Thi Chau (member of the Executive Committee of the Youth and Student Union for the Liberation of Saigon Cho Lon - Gia Dinh area) who came to wish him a long life.

At 2:00 p.m., the doctors came to check Uncle Ho's health.

At 2:30 p.m., He went to the stilt house to write a letter praising the young people of the Phu Man Village Young Pioneers Cooperative, Ham Son Commune, Yen Phong District, Ha Bac Province for their many achievements in taking care of buffaloes and cows.

During the day, Uncle Ho gave the cadres and people of Nghe An province his portrait. Beneath the photo, he wrote: “Cadres and party members must be exemplary in their work and must serve the people with all their heart and soul.”

Uncle Ho visited his hometown Nghe An in 1961.

Uncle Ho's birthday in 1969 took place normally like his working days and no one thought that it was the last time to celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday.

Peace(Synthetic)