Editor's note: The State organizes a Memorial Ceremony and established this National Memorial Day through laws and regulations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims. Over the past decade, each National Memorial Ceremony has symbolized the preservation of memory and a call for peace. In 2024, the Media Centre of the Memorial Hall planned and launched a special column, National Memorial Day·the 10th Anniversary, reflecting on the changes and constants of the National Memorial Ceremony over the past decade and collectively preserving the eternal memory of this events.

Jiang Shuping, a survivor of the Nanjing Massacre, was born on December 13, 1923. After the Nanjing Massacre, she refrained from celebrating her birthday in according to the Gregorian calendar. Xiong Jie, the grandson of Xiong Shulan, another survivor of the Nanjing Massacre, was born on December 13, 1981. On his birthday, as a high school teacher, he shared with his students about the history of the Nanjing Massacre. Cui Zixin, a student from Nanjing, was born on December 13, 2002. He once led the recitation of the Declaration of Peace at the National Memorial Ceremony for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre.Their birthdays all fall on the same day as the National Memorial Day. Let us collectively engage with their narratives.

"My mother has never celebrated her birthday according to the Gregorian calendar."

Relatives and friends celebrated the birthday for the elderly Jiang Shuping

Ji Mei, the daughter of Jiang Shuping, a survivor of the Nanjing Massacre, recalls: “My mother was born on December 13, 1923. After Nanjing fell in 1937, she and her family fled on a wooden boat but were intercepted by Japanese soldiers along the way. Her second eldest sister was taken away and later jumped into the river, narrowly escaping death. In my memory, my mother never celebrated her birthday according to the Gregorian calendar, only by the lunar calendar. Every year on December 13, she would say, ‘I feel unbearable pain in my heart, and I will never forget it as long as I live.’ Having survived that traumatic period, my mother cherished the simple blessings of life: having enough food and clothing, as well as being surrounded by children and grandchildren, which brought her great joy. She passed away in 2020. Since then, every year around December 13, our large family gathers to reflect on her experiences during the Nanjing Massacre and recall her stories.”

 "Our family will go to the Memorial Hall every year around my birthday to pay our respects."

A group photo of three sisters with the elderly Yu Changxiang, and Yu Huiming in the middle of the back row

Yu Huiming:“My name is Yu Huiming., was born on December 13, 1957. My father, Yu Changxiang, was a survivor of the Nanjing Massacre. During the Nanjing Massacre, Japanese soldiers killed my grandfather, and his body was never found. The inclusion of my grandfather’s name on the Wall of the Name List of the Nanjing Massacre victims in the Memorial Hall was a spiritual comfort to my father. Our family would go to the Memorial Hall every year around my birthday to pay our respects. In 2022, my father passed away. We followed his last wishes and donated his body for medical research. Although my father has left us, the historical memory continues. On my birthday, when the air-raid siren goes off, no matter where I am, I will stand up and observe a moment of silence. The three of us sisters will do our utmost to continue telling our father's story.”

 "When the air-raid siren goes off each year, my relatives and friends know that my birthday is near."

A group photo of Wang Qiaosheng and his father, Wang Zihua

Wang Qiaosheng:“My name is Wang Qiaosheng. I was born on December 13, 1963. My father, Wang Zihua, was a survivor of the Nanjing Massacre. Every year, as the air-raid siren sounds on the 13th of December, it reminds my relatives and friends that my birthday is near.

My father often said that he had survived purely by luck. During that time, Japanese soldiers fired at him, and a bullet struck his left arm, causing continuous bleeding. He carried this traumatic experience with him throughout his life and often recounted his story. Now that my father lives with me, I see how emotional he becomes when he hears the siren, and he repeatedly shares what he endured during the Nanjing Massacre. As my father grows older, I am determined to take up the ‘relay baton’ and continue telling this part of history.”

"I have never celebrated my birthday since childhood."

The second person from the right is the elderly Fu Zhaozeng, while the first person from the right is Fu Qiang.

Fu Qiang:“My name is Fu Qiang. I was born on December 13, 1965, and I am the son of Fu Zhaozeng, a survivor of the Nanjing Massacre. Through my father’s stories, I gradually came to understand the significance of December 13 for our family. When my father was just over one year old, he was shot in the leg, leaving a scar that stayed with him throughout his life. His second aunt was killed by Japanese soldiers right at the doorstep of their home. Since my childhood, my father never celebrated my birthday because, on this day, he relived the pain of the Nanjing Massacre and remembered his second aunt’s tragic death. When the air-raid siren sounds, I can often see tears welling up the corners of his eyes.

In 2021, my father passed away. Before he died, he said, ‘Only by experiencing life and death can one truly understand the value of life. So, no matter what happens, we must cherish it.’ I've always kept these words in mind.”

 "On my birthday, I share the history of the Nanjing Massacre with my students."

A group photo of Xiong Jie with his grandmother, Xiong Shulan

Xiong Jie:“My name is Xiong Jie. I was born on December 13, 1981, and I'm the grandson of Xiong Shulan, a survivor of the Nanjing Massacre. Whenever I heard my grandmother talk about the past, a deep sadness would well up in my heart. In 1937, when my grandmother was six years old, she survived by disguising herself as a boy. Her uncle was killed by Japanese soldiers. Over the years, my grandmother dedicated herself to sharing her personal experiences from that time. She always said to us, ‘We should turn our grief into strength.’

As a high school teacher, I share the history of the Nanjing Massacre with my students on my birthday. When I see the spark of understanding in their eyes, I realize that, through my words and actions, this period of history has truly taken root in their hearts, which has also made my birthday particularly meaningful.”

“On my 20th birthday, I organized a ceremony at school”

Li Yimei took part in the Bell-Ringing Ceremony at the Memorial Hall

Li Yimei:“My name is Li Yimei. I was born on December 13, 2001. I'm a dedicated follower of the Memorial Hall's social media account. I read every article they publish on the WeChat official account carefully and leave my thoughts in the comment section. so far, I have left more than two hundred comments.

On my 20th birthday, when I was a sophomore, I organized a memorial ceremony at school with my classmates. By candlelight, we observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. When I turned 22, I finally visited Nanjing. During the brief four-day trip, I visited the Memorial Hall three times, rang the Bell of Peace twice, and also toured the Nanjing Museum of the Site of Liji Lane "sex slaves" Station and the former residence of John Rabe. I shared my experiences on social media, hoping that more people would understand this history and grow wiser by learning from it.”

“On my 17th birthday, I led a recitation of the Declaration for Peace.”

Cui Zixin

Cui Zixin:“My name is Cui Zixin. I was born on December 13, 2002. When I was three years old, my family moved to Nanjing and settled near the Memorial Hall. During that time, I visited the Memorial Hall with them and discovered that the Nanjing Massacre began on the same date as my birthday. Since then, a strong sense of historical responsibility has sprouted in my heart.

In 2019, when I learned that our school was recruiting students to recite the Declaration for Peace, I signed up immediately. After several rounds of selection, on December 13, my 17th birthday, I stood at the site of the National Memorial Ceremony for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre and led the recitation of the Declaration for Peace. I also participated in the ‘Candlelight Vigil · International Peace Assembly’ that evening. Reciting with such excitement and passion made it a truly meaningful birthday for me. As a student in Nanjing, I hope to use my skills in recitation to help spread awareness of this history in the future.”