Burg Giebichenstein und die Giebichensteinbrücke

Postcard DE-3903996 from Germany shows Giebichenstein Castle and the Giebichensteinbrücke bridge in Halle (Saale), an economic and educational center in eastern Germany, located in the southern Saxony-Anhalt state.

Giebichenstein Castle, seen on the right on the postcard, was a royal residence of Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor in the 9th century. It is used by the Kunsthochschule Halle (Academy of Arts) of the Burg Giebichenstein Art School.

The Giebichensteinbrücke bridge, also known as Kröllwitzer bridge, is one of three Saale River crossings in Halle, located in the north part of the city below Giebichenstein Castle. The Giebichensteinbrücke bridge in its current form was built between 1926 and 1928 as a replacement for a steel bridge with large truss arch from 1892. The bridge's main arch was blown up during the final days of World War II on April 14, 1945. It was re-built in 1949 and renovated from 1993 to 1995.

On February 13, 1990, an agreement was announced on a two-stage plan to reunite Germany.

Dresden Frauenkirche

Postcard DE-3525462 from Germany shows the restored Frauenkirche, a Lutheran church in Dresden, the capital of the German state of Saxony by the River Elbe near the Czech border as part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area with 2.4 million people.

Built in the 18th century, the original church was destroyed in the bombing of Dresden during the final months of World War II. The bombing by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in February 1945 destroyed over 1,600 acres or 6.5 square kilometers of the city center and killed around 25,000 people, which resulted in post-war controversy on whether or not the attacks were justified due to heavy civilian casualty. The remaining ruins had been left as a war memorial by East German leaders until the church was rebuilt between 2004 and 2005 after the reunification of Germany in 1990. With one of the largest domes in Europe, Frauenkirche is not only a fine example of Protestant sacred architecture but also a symbol of reconciliation between former enemies.

ЗиС-5 Soviet Truck

Postcard RU-2908071 from Russia shows a ZIS-5, was a 4x2 Soviet truck (Russian: ЗиС-5) produced by the ZIS factory in Moscow since October, 1933. It was widely used during World War II, appreciated for its remarkably simple and reliable construction. It had been used as cargo and troop transporters, light artillery tractors, and bases for refuellers, field workshops, ambulances, portee or Anti-aircraft gun platforms.

77th Anniversary of the July 7th Incident

The July 7th Incident (七七事變), also known as the Lugou Bridge Incident (盧溝橋事變), was a battle between the Republic of China's National Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Japanese Army outside of the walled town of Wanping (宛平鎮) to the southwest of Beiping (now Beijing) on July 7, 1937. With the Japanese forces invaded Beiping, China, it marked the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War that lasted from 1937 to 1945.

China fought Japan and received initial economic helps from Germany, the Soviet Union and the United States. After the Japanese attacked on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the war merged into the greater conflict of World War II as a major front of the Pacific War. The Second Sino-Japanese War was the largest Asian war in the 20th century.

After 77 years, we still need to remember the great cost of the Second Sino-Japanese War as it made up more than 50% of the casualties in the Pacific War when the 1937–1941 period was taken into account. We also need to hold the war criminals accountable by highlighting wartime atrocities, so as to resist any future war attempts.

Postcard US-2017736 to Montana shows a Hutong (胡同), typical narrow street or alley in Beijing, with background of a gate in the historic city defense wall.

Alte Oper in Frankfurt

Postcard DE-3080344 shows Opernplatz (Opera Square) in front of the Alte Oper (Old Opera), a concert hall and former opera house in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

The original opera house was inaugurated in 1880 with many important operas performed for the first time.
It was destroyed by bombs in 1944 during World War II. It was rebuilt over the time in the 1970s, and re-opened in 1981. With a new Frankfurt Opera and Play House already opened next door to Schauspiel Frankfurt in 1951,  the newly restored building on the site of the original opera house was always intended as a concert hall. It has hosted all sorts of entertainment since.

World War II B-25J Mitchell "Executive Sweet"

Executive Sweet

Traveling postcard US-2323208 to japan shows the North American B-25J Mitchell 430801 "Executive Sweet", built in Kansas City in 1945, performing at Aviation Nation, Nellis Air Force Base in 2010.

Executive Sweet served the World War II as a crew trainer. It was converted into USAF VB-25J, a VIP transport in 1948. It was upgraded in 1954 and designated as VB-25N by Hayes Aircraft, Inc. After military service at the School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Field, Texas, it was sold as surplus and became a crop sprayer. Next, it was acquired by Hollywood's Filmways Studios in 1968, and used in the movie "Catch-22". The aircraft was placed on sale after completion of the movie production in 1970, It was purchased by Ed Schnepf in 1972 and was restored to a wartime J model. In 1982, the restored bomber was donated to the American Aeronautical Foundation Museum at Camarillo, California.