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Museum Recalls Hero of 'The Rape of Nanjing'

Thomas Rabe places flowers next to the statute of his grandfather, John Rabe, at the opening of the John Rabe and International Safety Zone Memorial Hall in Nanjing, China.
Thomas Rabe places flowers next to the statute of his grandfather, John Rabe, at the opening of the John Rabe and International Safety Zone Memorial Hall in Nanjing, China.
Jiang Genfu was just nine years old when the Japanese invaded. He witnessed his mother and baby brother being killed by Japanese soldiers.
Louisa Lim, NPR /
Jiang Genfu was just nine years old when the Japanese invaded. He witnessed his mother and baby brother being killed by Japanese soldiers.

A new museum has just opened in Nanjing, China, commemorating the actions of a German businessman who saved lives during the 1937 Japanese invasion of the city. Known as the "Rape of Nanjing," the Japanese are believed to have killed 300,000 Chinese during the invasion and occupation.

The house where John Rabe sheltered 600 Chinese civilians has been turned into a museum and international research center for peace and reconciliation.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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