UCLA Center forEast Asian
Studies
Today in Asian History
August 5
1876 Japan commuted samurai pensions, compelling them to earn their own living.
1880 At the end of a visit to China, Charles Gordon, former commander of the Ever-Victorious Army, submitted a list of 20 items of advice to Li Hongzhang (e.g., move the capital, establish a telegraph service).
1953 "Operation Big Switch" began at Panmunjom, Korea. The operation lasted until December 23 and involved the repatriation of 75,823 prisoners held by the United Nations forces and 12,773 prisoners
held by China and North Korea. Some 20,000 Chinese POWs elected not to return to China. 347 South Korean, American, and British POWs elected not to return to their homelands.
1966 Mao Zedong wrote his own big character poster calling on Chinese to "bombard the headquarters."1995 The United States and Vietnam extended diplomatic recognition to each other during a visit to Vietnam by U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher.
The JEASC "Today in Asian History" page was compiled by Clayton Dube. He welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send them to <cdube@isop.ucla.edu>.
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