1942年中国的一次科学盛事——纪念牛顿三百周年诞辰

A Scientific Event of China in 1942:Isaac Newton’s Tercentenary Celebration

儒略历1942年12月25日是牛顿三百周年诞辰,中国大后方的多所高校、研究机构在这一时间举办了相关纪念活动.作者在报纸和期刊及相关史料的基础上,从当时中国高等教育背景、纪念活动的内容以及办会目的等三个方面来呈现中国纪念牛顿三百年诞辰活动的概况.作者认为,这一系列纪念活动主要目的是总结并高度评价牛顿在科学上的伟大贡献,为中国科技界树立学术精神榜样,它的内涵仍然延续了中国近代以来科技救亡图强的主题,在战争时期尤为紧迫,体现了中国科技界在抗日救亡运动中一直心系中国科技事业,求其发展与壮大.

December 25 th of 1942 in Julian calendar was the third centenary of Newton’s birth, many universities and research institutions of China in the great backing area had held celebrations around this time.Based on the relevant historical materials in the newspapers and periodicals during the period of the Republic of China, this paper gives an overview of China’s tercentenary of Newton’s birth from three aspects: the background of higher education in China, the commemorative activities and the motive they possess. This paper argues that these commemorative activities held in China during anti-Japanese war were of significance. The main purpose of the celebration was to summarize and speak highly of Newton’s great contributions to science as well as to set an example for the scientific and technological community in China. And its connotation still lay in the theme of national salvation with science and technology which could be traced back to the beginning of modern China, and had been particularly urgent during the war. It shows that the scientific and technological community in China had always set mind on China’s science and technology during the war, seeking the development and growth of science and technology of China.