📜 Picture this: A lush island transitioning from frontier outpost to thriving province. This week in 1885 (140 years ago!), the Qing Dynasty made Taiwan its 20th province, separating it from Fujian's administration. Enter General Liu Mingchuan – Taiwan's first governor and the ultimate 'progress influencer' of his era! 🚂
Liu launched infrastructure projects that would make modern urban planners nod in respect. He built railways (choo-choo, industrial revolution vibes!), established schools, and basically created the blueprint for Taiwan's development. Think of him as the 19th-century version of a startup founder – except his 'unicorn' was public welfare.
🌉 This historical pivot isn't just about borders – it's about books meeting bricks. Liu's education reforms laid foundations for literacy, while new roads connected once-isolated communities. For history buffs and culture enthusiasts alike, 1885 marks when Taiwan began dancing to the rhythm of modernization – a beat that still echoes today.
