History Daily The Murder of Vice Principal Bian Zhongyun
Aug 5, 2025
On August 5, 1966, a school in Beijing witnessed the brutal murder of Vice Principal Bian Zhongyun, a chilling event that marked the onset of the Cultural Revolution's assault on educators. Students, propelled by revolutionary fervor, transformed into Red Guards, leading to chaos and violence within classrooms. Bian's harrowing ordeal reflects the widespread societal turmoil, as her tragic fate exposes the disillusionment and fear gripping the nation. Her legacy remains poignant, sparking reflection among former students about the emotional scars left by this violent chapter in history.
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Bian Zhongyong's Fatal Beating
- Vice Principal Bian Zhongyong was brutally beaten and killed by her own students on August 5, 1966.
- Her death became the first known fatality of Mao's Cultural Revolution and symbolized the violent upheaval in schools.
Song Bin Bin's Provocative Protest
- Student Song Bin Bin led an early protest against her school's vice principal by putting up a demeaning poster.
- She encouraged students to attack counter-revolutionary teachers, sparking the violence that escalated shortly after.
Cultural Revolution Youth Violence
- Mao's Cultural Revolution aimed to destroy old customs, thinking, and culture through youth-led violence.
- The Red Guards, young Mao loyalists, were empowered to violently attack perceived enemies, especially educators.