Independence Evening Post Digital Archive

A comprehensive digital archive of Zi Li Wan Bao (自立晚報, a.k.a. Independence Evening Post), the only pro-independence newspaper from the period of Kuomintang martial law and press restrictions in Taiwan (1949-1987). This archive includes coverage of important historical events, including the Zhongli anti-government protest (1977), the Kaohsiung press crackdown and subsequent incidents of state violence (1979), and the transition to democracy starting in 1987.

The Kuomintang party was notorious for its use of political repression and violence to maintain the status quo relationship between China and Taiwan. Dissident publications were not tolerated and most of the currently published newspapers in Taiwan either historically supported the Kuomintang party or were formed after press restrictions were lifted in 1987. The Independence Evening Post Digital Archive offers rare, unfiltered insight into important historical incidents that occurred under the Kuomintang regime and is an important resource for studying the history of the pro-democracy Tangwai movement.