The former military leader and national President of China, Li Xiannian (1909–1992), was born in Hong'an.

There are many places in this region today that were named after Huang e.g. Huanggang, Huangpi, Huangmei, Huangshi, Huang'an (now Hong'an), Huangzhou etc.

It was in Huang'an where in November 1927 Communist guerrillas founded the first peasants' government that would eventually evolve into the future Eyuwan soviet.

It was also the location where Communist General Xu Haidong founded the Seventh Red Army with a handful of recruits.

Two of these men, Dong Biwu and Li Xiannian, both would go on to serve as President of the People's Republic of China.