The tradition started in 1978, just after the United States broke off diplomatic relations with the Republic of China. To show their confidence in their country and its future, people spontaneously gathered in the Presidential Plaza.
民國六十七年底，中美斷交，曾在國內引起很大的震撼，但全國同胞對國家前途仍充滿信心和希望。六十八年元旦，成千上萬的民眾為表達愛國的赤忱，自動聚集在總統府前參加升旗典禮。