French writer Victor Hugo once said, “Memories are our strength. When night attempts to return, we must light up the great dates, as we would light torches.”

July 26, 2025 marks 80 years since the Potsdam Proclamation, a pivotal World War II (WWII) moment that shaped the postwar order. Remembering this victory illuminates our path forward—confronting new challenges and upholding lasting peace.

In Chinese philosophy, honoring historical truth involves not just remembering the past but also learning from it to avoid repeating mistakes. The Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu noted the Qin dynasty’s collapse: “The Qin people had no time to regret their downfall; it was left to later generations to lament. However, if those generations only mourn without learning, they too will be lamented by future ones.”

This timeless warning echoes the advice from Tang statesman Wei Zheng to Emperor Taizong: “Use bronze as a mirror to straighten your attire; use history as a mirror to understand rise and fall.”

These teachings show those who learn from history prosper, while those who ignore it are doomed to repeat past........

© Eurasia Review