Happy Birthday: Photos Marking The Big Nine-Oh

July 1 is an important day in history. National Creative Ice Cream Flavour Day marks the start of National Ice Cream Month in the US (click here to find out where to celebrate that in Bejing). It's also International Joke Day – that wasn't a joke – and residents of Australia and New Zealand celebrate International Tartan Day. Meanwhile, back in the real world, there's national celebrations for Canada, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and right here, where today marks the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. Here's what's going on:

The world's biggest square has a befitting new monument. Twenty tons of it, to be exact. The recreation of the Party emblem is at least 12 metres high and can withstand level 10 wind- and rainstorms. It should be here in another 90 years.

You know about Red Songs but did you know about the Red Games to commemorate the Party's founding? China Daily has been good enough to share details on the events in Qingyang, Gansu. We've included the two best photos but there are more if you click the link. And here's a link to everyone's favourite red singer on TV.

If you like that lady's outfit, then you will be pleased by the amount of Mao suits that the tailor in these China Foto Press shots has been making. Expect to see some around town based on the volume. The suits are limited edition so it's quite a feast for the eyes.

The Independent reports that the occasion is being marked with a show of military strength. The most interesting aspect of that is either that you can queue up somewhere to fire an anti-aircraft gun or that the PLA has developed a computer game for training soldiers where the enemy is American troops. As soon as we find out where you can shoot something – real or imaginary – then we'll tell you.

Also, 798 and Songzhuang have gotten in on the anniversary act. There are a variety of exhibits as part of the two areas' 90th Anniversary Art Show. Chinese readers can get more info here and the rest of you can be pleasantly surprised by just turning up.

Photos: China Daily and Weibo user 1175432010