From September 23-24, 2017, the conference with the theme “The Social Transition in American History” was held at Nankai University (NKU) in Tianjin to commemorate the centenary of Prof. Yang Shengmao’s birth (1917-2017). It was organized by the Faculty of History in NKU, the Research Center for the History of Modern World in NKU, and the American History Research Association of China. About 150 scholars of related areas from 50 universities and institutions, including Hong Kong University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Peking University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, Xiamen University, Xiamen University, and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
President Gong Ke of Nankai University, sent a congratulatory letter to the opening ceremony. Prof. Xu Zairong, the Associate editor of the Journal of World History; Prof. Liang Maoxin, President of the American History Research Association of China; Mr. Yu Zhenqi, Chinese ex-ambassador of Bulgaria and Belarus; Prof. Huang Annian, from the Beijing Normal University; Bai Jiancai, Shanxi Normal University; Mrs. Yang Lianxia, Cheif Editor of Journal of History Teaching; Prof. Wang Xinyang, from the Hong Kong University of Science; Mrs. Ren Wanjie, from the Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP; Prof. Wang Dunshu, from the Nankai University; Prof. Nan Bingwen, from the Nankai University; and Prof. Mi Qingyu, from the Nankai University delivered a speech successively, expressing their admiration of Prof. Yang Shengmao and expectations of inheriting Yang’s spirits. Prof. Yang Lingxia, the daughter of Prof. Yang Shengmao, expressed gratitude to her fathers’ friends.
Served as professor in the Faculty of History in Nankai Uiversity from 1947-1995, Prof. Yang Shengmao was one of the major founders of Chinese World History and American History. He lay the foundation of American History research in Nankai University and China. His influence is ongoing, as critics profess admiration for the grace of his writing, and the depth of his insight.
