Modern Era · East Asia · War

1937

Rape of Nanjing

December 1937

After capturing the Chinese capital, Japanese soldiers embarked on six weeks of mass murder, rape, and looting. Perhaps two hundred thousand Chinese civilians died. John Rabe, a German businessman and Nazi Party member, set up a safety zone that saved thousands. The atrocity haunted Sino-Japanese relations for the rest of the century.

More from 1937 Modern Era

In context

Also in 1937 (5 other events on record)

Japan invades China at Marco Polo Bridge · East Asia · War
Guernica bombed · Europe · War
Hindenburg burns at Lakehurst · North America · Disaster
Golden Gate Bridge opens · North America · Technology
Amelia Earhart vanishes · Oceania · Exploration

Before and after in East Asia

Before: October 1934: Mao begins the Long March
After: December 8, 1941: Japan strikes across the Pacific

Before and after in War

Before: July 17, 1936: Spanish Civil War begins
After: April 1939: Spanish Civil War ends

Era

Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.