Entertainment programs on the radio and nearly 200 television channels were all substituted with news reports on the progress of rescue and relief efforts in the quake-hit areas.

All newspapers were printed in black and white; no advertisements appeared on the newspapers and no commercials were broadcast on television. The whole country is gripped with grief.

Internet gaming sites such as Shanda and The9 were also shut down.

This is the first time to hold a national mourning for the death of ordinary people in a natural disaster in Chinese history.

In China's feudal history, national mourning was a privilege only reserved for emperors, whose demise might lead to a ban of public entertainment for at least one month.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, national mourning only took place when great state leaders passed away, such as Mao Zedong in 1976 and Deng Xiaoping in 1997.

In a nation showing more and more social diversity and cultural vitality, the nearly complete absence of music and recreation seemed a little bit unaccustomed to many. But most of the 1.3 billion people accepted it readily.

Listeners showed a surprisingly strong support when a popular music radio station changed all of its programs to earthquake-related news reports.

"Listeners sent in encouraging and supporting text messages throughout our program," said Zhu Yuting, the host of a two-hour pop music program, which now focuses on the discussion of earthquake-related topics.

"They all showed their understanding, and I was often moved by their sincere concern of the victims," she said. But she conceded that this was the hardest ever programs she had made, as she had to keep talking for two hours without the supplement of the music.

For those who need to mark an anniversary or celebrate something during the three days, it might be even harder to make a choice.

Xu Shanshan, who just got married during the May Day holiday, finally decided to postpone her long-planned celebration with friends.

"It would be inappropriate to celebrate anything at this time," said Xu, who was also wearing a black T-shirt these days. Xu, an editor for a Beijing magazine, said that her colleagues purposely chose to wear black or white these days to pay their respect to the dead.

On the Internet, most users support the suspension of public entertainments, saying it shows respect to life and humanity.

"Tens of thousands people died in the disaster and many more are still suffering. How can anyone keep having fun under such circumstances?" one post read.

"I do feel a bit bored because there is no sitcom to watch, no game to play and no place to hang out," said Zhou Ying, who works for an insurance company in Beijing. "But this is the least sacrifice I can make to honor the victims in the earthquake."

"It is true that life goes on and the disaster has taught us that we shall enjoy life while we can," said Liang Hua, staff of a local public relations company. "But this is simply no right time for entertainment, as everyone is in a somber mood."

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2008)