The hard-won victory in 1945 showcased the untamable spirit and perseverance of China. It also abolished all unequal treaties China had been forced to sign with other countries earlier, and restored the dignity and confidence of the Chinese people. The end of the war also led to the formation of the United Nations (known as the UN Conference on International Organization) on April 25, 1945, in San Francisco.

The 809 Sacramento Street building in San Francisco, which houses the WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall, was first occupied in 1927 by the Chinese Daily Post, one of the first Chinese newspapers in America. During WWII, the building also served as a center where overseas Chinese gathered to express support for their homeland. For example, in the so-called "Bowl of Rice Movement", Chinese Americans donated one bowl of rice each to raise funds for China to buy airplanes.

The same community spirit continues to this day, and we are proud that the memorial hall has been established entirely with the help of grassroots volunteers and resources from dedicated individuals.

The victory in WWII was a double victory for the Chinese in the US, because it also ended the US' 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which put a ban on immigration of Chinese people, and finally allowed Chinese Americans to enjoy equal rights.

The purpose of the memorial hall is to help people learn from history and teach the younger generation the importance of working together for a better future, because:

Without knowing genuine history, we will have a world without justice;

Without learning from genuine history, we will live in a world without peace.

The author is founder & honorary curator of the 1st overseas Chinese WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall, honorary trustee of Peking University and founder director of the US' 100K Strong Foundation.

(China Daily 08/29/2015 page5)