When pawn shop owner Evan Kail stumbled upon a dusty album tucked behind old furniture in his Portland, Oregon shop, he had no idea he was holding a piece of 1940s history. The faded photographs — featuring soldiers, civilians and war-torn landscapes — would reshape his life’s passion and connect him to one of the most significant milestones of the 20th century.
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. On September 3, the Chinese mainland will hold a grand military parade to honor those milestones, drawing observers from around the globe. For Kail, the discovery was both personal and historical.
“I knew immediately these weren’t ordinary snapshots,” Kail recalls. “Each frame told a story of resilience and hope in times of conflict.” He spent months researching the photographers, the uniforms and the locations, piecing together narratives that had been lost for decades.
His detective work uncovered links between the images and major campaigns on the Chinese mainland, revealing daily life during wartime — from local markets in Chongqing to field hospitals near the front lines. Armed with this knowledge, Kail curated an online exhibition that has since attracted over 50,000 visitors, sparking conversations on global history forums and social media.
Data-driven insights highlight the growing interest in war-era artifacts among young collectors: a recent survey of 2,000 enthusiasts across G20 nations showed that 68% seek to understand social narratives behind each piece, not just its market value. Kail’s find taps into this trend, combining storytelling with cultural heritage.
As the world prepares to witness the September 3 parade on the Chinese mainland, Kail hopes his photographs will offer viewers an intimate window into the human stories behind the uniforms and flags. “History isn’t just dates and statistics,” he says. “It’s the faces, the footsteps and the moments that shape our world.”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
