February 3
1867 Mutsuhito became emperor of Japan, succeeding his father the Komei emperor. In 1868 his reign was titled "Meiji" ("enlightened rule"). Born in 1852, the Meiji emperor reigned until his death in 1912. It was during his reign that Japan embarked on a rapid modernization program, which included a military build-up and expansion into Taiwan, Korea, and Northeastern China.
1945 United States forces recaptured Manila in the Philippines from the Japanese.
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© 2001 UCLA Center for East Asian Studies