NANKING MASSACRE

1937 – 1938

The Nanking Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking, occurred on December 13th, 1937, marking the beginning of World War II in Asia. The Japanese imperial army had marched into China's former capital city, unleashing an assault of burning, rape, destruction, robbery, and murder of approximately 300,000 people. The invasion incited a refugee crisis throughout China, displacing thousands of its people. While the event is an emerging foundation stone in modern Chinese identity, the Nanking Massacre remains so controversial that a neutral definition has yet to be agreed upon.