In the early morning light of December 13, residents of Nanjing gathered to remember a tragedy that shook their city 86 years ago. As the clock struck 10:01 a.m., sirens wailed across the city. 🚨 Cars halted, horns blared, and pedestrians stood still, bowing their heads in silence. The haunting sound served as a somber reminder of the 300,000 lives lost during the Nanjing Massacre of 1937.
At the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, China's national flag flew at half-mast. More than 80 young people read aloud a declaration of peace, their voices echoing a hope for a future free from the shadows of the past. ✌️🕊️ Citizen representatives rang the Bell of Peace, and white doves soared into the sky, symbolizing a yearning for harmony.
This annual ceremony, designated by China's top legislature in 2014 as the National Memorial Day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, serves not only as a tribute but also as a call to remember and learn. The massacre, which began on December 13, 1937, when Japanese troops captured Nanjing, led to the brutal killing of approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers over six harrowing weeks. It remains one of the most tragic episodes of World War II.
Today, the number of registered survivors has dwindled to just 32, making the act of remembrance even more poignant. The Memorial Hall, opened in 1985, stands as a testament to the resilience of the city and its people. Since becoming the main venue for the national memorial ceremony in 2014, it attracts around 5 million visitors each year. Words like "history," "peace," and "remember" resonate among the 125,278 comments left by visitors this year alone.
For the youth of Nanjing and China, this day is more than a history lesson—it's a reminder of the importance of peace and the dangers of forgetting the past. As one young participant noted, "We stand here not to dwell on hatred, but to ensure such tragedies never happen again."
🌏 Around the world, remembering history is crucial in building a future rooted in understanding and unity. The echoes of Nanjing remind us all to cherish peace and strive for a world where such events remain part of history, not our future.
Reference(s):
China holds national commemoration for Nanjing Massacre victims
cgtn.com
