On 7 July 1937, the serene night was shattered by the clashing of Japanese and Chinese troops at the Marco Polo Bridge, marking the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
This seemingly minor skirmish erupted into a full-scale conflict, fueled by long-standing territorial disputes and rising tensions between the two nations.
The battle, characterised by fierce exchanges of gunfire and artillery, quickly escalated as both sides poured in reinforcements.
The incident not only symbolized the breakdown of diplomatic efforts but also heralded a period of prolonged and devastating warfare, ultimately reshaping the geopolitical landscape of East Asia and setting the stage for broader conflicts that would engulf the region in the years to come.
