Peking, September 9: Mao Tse-tung, the 82-year-old father of Communist China, died to-day at 10 minutes past midnight. Radio Peking broadcast the news to the 750 million Chinese saying: “Mao Tse-tung passed away at 00-10 hours on Sept. 9 because of the worsening of his illness and despite all treatment, although meticulous medical care was given to him in every way after he fell ill.”
Published - September 10, 2026 04:15 am ISTFuneral music followed, and immediately thousands of people, wearing black armbands, began to gather in the vast Tien An Men Square (Square of Heavenly Peace) in the heart of Peking. In factories, shops and apartment blocks people gathered around loudspeakers and radio sets. Their faces turned grim and sorrowful at the news of the death of the man who had commanded their reverence and awe. Chairman Mao would have been 83 on December 26. He had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease.