Observances for National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims Held in Baoshan District
December 13 marks the 11th National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims and the 10th anniversary of National Memorial Day. Eighty-seven years ago, the Japanese invaders captured Nanjing, causing a terrible massacre. On December 13, Shanghai Songhu Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall and the anti-Japanese war memorial halls around the country held observances for National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims to mourn the martyrs and compatriots killed in the massacre.
At 10 am, the observances officially began with the majestic national anthem. Representatives from all walks of life laid wreaths to the martyrs and held a moment of silence to jointly remember all the compatriots who were killed by the Japanese invaders and the martyrs who gave their lives for the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
At the event, residents and students laid flowers and bowed in mourning for the victims. Xu Chengsen, a student from Shanghai Baoshan District Education Institute, told the reporter, “The teacher told us about the Nanjing Massacre. After attending this event today, I have a deeper understanding of the history, and we should remember history and the national humiliation.” “My heart is heavy today. 300,000 compatriots were brutally killed in the Nanjing Massacre and it is very sad. This history must not be forgotten. As teenagers, we should cherish peace and work hard,” said Pan Qiuyi, a student from the same institute.
A representative from Shanghai Songyi Middle School in Baoshan District emphasized the significance of this activity, stating, “Students will remember the martyrs and victims while reflecting on the history of the Nanjing Massacre. Such experiences help young students foster a sense of patriotism through empathy and shared resonance. It serves as a powerful reminder for all of us to remember our history and national humiliation.”
To enrich Memorial Day activities, a special exhibition titled Human Catastrophe: The Nanjing Massacre (1937) was held at the Shanghai Songhu Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall. The exhibition is organized into eight sections, covering the historical facts of the slaughter of both soldiers and civilians by the Japanese army, the mutual aid among Chinese people, the international humanitarian aid, the post-war trials related to the Nanjing Massacre, and the early international media reports. Through a concentrated display of historical materials, the exhibition powerfully reveals the horrific atrocities committed by the Japanese invaders during the Nanjing Massacre. On December 13, 1937, Japanese forces brutally attacked Nanjing, and over 300,000 people were murdered, countless women were raped and mutilated, and many children were killed in just over six weeks. One-third of the city’s buildings were destroyed, and vast amounts of property were looted, leaving an indelible scar in human history. Documents related to this tragedy are included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
Many people were deeply moved by the exhibition. “The numerous photos of our fallen compatriots vividly display the scenes of that time, leaving us with a deeper impression of that tragic chapter in history. I believe the National Memorial Day serves as a reminder to remember the humiliation of the past, to cherish peace, and to strive for progress,” said Yao Wei, a resident of Shanghai.
“I was shocked by the intricate details in the exhibition,” said Zhou Jiaxuan, a student from Shanghai Songyi Middle School in Baoshan District. “I saw not only the sacrifices made by my compatriots but also their steadfast resistance and unwavering commitment to justice.”
Learn from the past, and plan for the future. The determination of the Chinese people to remember history, uphold peace, and pursue national rejuvenation remains unshaken. The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. As a key national memorial to the Anti-Japanese War, the Shanghai Songhu Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall is committed to enhancing the quality and service of the memorial, strengthening the preservation and inheritance of red resources, and providing a platform for ongoing, in-depth patriotic education in the new era. “The exhibition materials have been provided by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders,” said a representative of the Shanghai Songhu Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall. “We have also actively collaborated with them to promote this exhibition to the public. Through these activities, we hope to allow more young people to learn about and remember this history, cherish the peace we’ve fought for, and draw inspiration to strive for a better life.”
宝山汇APP
上海宝山微信
上海宝山微博