History throwback! From 1931 to 1945, China faced down imperial Japan in an eight-year struggle that reshaped global history. 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of this epic stand for peace and unity. 🌟
It all kicked off on September 18, 1931, with a staged incident near Shenyang. While the Kuomintang (KMT) government opted for a non-resistance policy, General Ma Zhanshan defied the order. His half-month battle along the Nen River turned him into a national hero and inspired volunteer armies across northeast China. ✊
Japan's industrial edge meant Chinese troops had limited modern weaponry. Yet at Xifengkou Pass in March 1933, a midnight broadsword raid by 500 soldiers proved that tactics and courage can flip the script. Only 23 made it back, but their oath, "Better to die a warrior than live a slave of a conquered nation.", sparked the famous "Broadsword March" anthem. 🗡️
Fast forward to July 1937: the Lugou Bridge Incident ignited full-scale war. Despite internal strife, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the KMT formed a united front, famously sealed after the Xi'an Incident. The lyrics of the wartime anthem, "Millions of hearts with one mind, brave the enemy's gunfire, march on," captured this spirit—beyond party lines.
As cities fell, the KMT government moved inland and atrocities like the Nanjing Massacre haunted the journey. Yet China's resistance forced Japan to commit over a million troops on the mainland, easing pressure on other Allied fronts in World War II.
Today, these stories of unity, strategy, and sacrifice remind us that collective resilience can stand up to any challenge. Whether you're gaming late-night raids or leading a startup sprint, there's inspiration in this history—unity and bravery still win the day. 🚀
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
