Residents of Nanjing City in eastern China gathered to honor the memory of 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre during a solemn memorial ceremony held on Friday. The event commemorates the tragic events that unfolded in 1937 when Japanese troops captured the city, marking one of the most harrowing episodes of World War II.
At 8 a.m., the national flag was lowered to half-mast at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, a poignant gesture of remembrance. Two hours later, at 10:01 a.m., sirens echoed through the downtown area, prompting drivers to stop and honk their horns, while pedestrians paused in silent tribute to the victims.
The ceremony featured more than 80 young voices reading a declaration of peace, symbolizing a collective desire for a harmonious future. Citizen representatives struck the Bell of Peace, and white doves were released, soaring above the square as a universal symbol of hope and tranquility.
Since its designation as the National Memorial Day in 2014 by China’s top legislature, December 13 has been a day of reflection and remembrance. The Memorial Hall, established in 1985 at a burial site for massacre victims, has become the central venue for these annual ceremonies, attracting approximately five million visitors each year. This year alone, the hall has received over 125,000 comments from visitors, with words like \"history,\" \"peace,\" and \"remember\" frequently mentioned.
As the number of registered survivors dwindles to just 32 as of July 22, the significance of these commemorations grows, ensuring that the lessons of the past remain etched in collective memory.
Reference(s):
China holds national commemoration for Nanjing Massacre victims
cgtn.com
