08-14-2013, 12:59 PM
On August 14th 1917, China ended its neutrality and declared war on Germany as its entrance into World War I.
![[Image: 220px-Republic_of_China_Flags.jpg]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Republic_of_China_Flags.jpg/220px-Republic_of_China_Flags.jpg)
When China declared war on Germany on August 14, 1917, its major aim was to earn itself a place at the post-war bargaining table. Above all, China sought to regain control over the vital Shantung Peninsula and to reassert its strength before Japan, its most important adversary and rival for control in the region.
At the Versailles Peace Conference following the armistice, Japan and China struggled bitterly to convince the Allied Supreme Council—dominated by the United States, France and Britain—of their respective claims on the Shantung Peninsula. A bargain was eventually struck in favor of Japan, who backed down from their demand for a racial-equality clause in the treaty in return for control over Germany’s considerable economic possessions in Shantung, including railways, mines and the port at Tsingtao.
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Also on this day, in 1935, FDR signed the Social Security Act into law.
The law has had quite a run; almost 80 years later, the stability of Social Security benefits for future recipients continues to be questioned.
![[Image: fdr-signs-social-security-act.jpg]](http://atrandomwave.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/fdr-signs-social-security-act.jpg)
When China declared war on Germany on August 14, 1917, its major aim was to earn itself a place at the post-war bargaining table. Above all, China sought to regain control over the vital Shantung Peninsula and to reassert its strength before Japan, its most important adversary and rival for control in the region.
At the Versailles Peace Conference following the armistice, Japan and China struggled bitterly to convince the Allied Supreme Council—dominated by the United States, France and Britain—of their respective claims on the Shantung Peninsula. A bargain was eventually struck in favor of Japan, who backed down from their demand for a racial-equality clause in the treaty in return for control over Germany’s considerable economic possessions in Shantung, including railways, mines and the port at Tsingtao.
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Also on this day, in 1935, FDR signed the Social Security Act into law.
The law has had quite a run; almost 80 years later, the stability of Social Security benefits for future recipients continues to be questioned.