Over 100 local residents and witnesses of the "July 7 Incident," or the start of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, meet at the Marco Polo Bridge (Lugou Bridge) in southwest Beijing on July 6, 2014, to commemorate the 77th anniversary of China's fight against Japanese occupation. Those in attendance brought flowers and lit candles to honor those that died in the conflict. Photo: People's Daily

Today marks the 77th anniversary of beginning of the eight-year War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

Japan had occupied China's Northeast since 1931.

But its full-scale invasion of China began on July 7th, 1937 after Japanese troops attacked Chinese soldiers near the Marco Polo Bridge in southwest Beijing.

To commemorate the start of the bloody invasion, Chinese leaders and others will gather at a ceremony at the bridge this morning.