4. International Safety Zone
During the chaos, a group of Western expatriates and missionaries established the Nanking Safety Zone, providing refuge for terrified civilians. Led by figures like John Rabe, they risked their lives to shelter over 200,000 people from violence. Their humanitarian efforts, often in defiance of Japanese authorities, stand as a testament to individual courage in the darkest of times. The Safety Zone’s legacy highlights the vital role of international aid in wartime. Source: The New York Times
