BEIJING, Sept. 30-- The first Martyrs' Day was marked with events across China on Tuesday. The newly appointed public holiday honors deceased wartime soldiers and modern time heroes.

At a state memorial, President Xi Jinping and other top leaders paid silent tribute, offering flower baskets at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square.

The nationwide events are a way for Chinese people to show appreciation for those who lost their lives fighting for national independence, prosperity and people's interests in the past. Many of whom died anonymously during wartime.

Without them, today's peace and prosperity could not have been achieved.

Their sacrifices will be commemorated on Sept. 30 every year, when people take time for a more somber occasion before celebrating the Oct. 1 National Day.

Not only are the pains of death remembered, but a respect for life, a cherishing for peace and a strong conviction on state sovereignty is embraced through the commemorative activities.

Sharing remembrance of national heroes holds people together. Both woes and glories should be remembered as they are an indispensable part of memory that consolidates the nation's cohesiveness. Their spirits inspire contemporaries to overcome hardship in pursuing their dreams.

Remembering a nation's heroes offers a sense of urgency that pushes us to follow suit and strive for the nation's revival. It serves as a warning to people increasingly susceptible to hedonism and extravagance in a consumerism-centered society.

It was the third time for top leaders to attend state memorial this year, after two at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression on July 7, a date marking the start of the full-scale War of Resistance in 1937, and on Sept. 3, a national day to commemorate the victory against Japanese aggression.

Overcoming more than a century of humiliation by invaders dating back to the Opium War (1840-1842), China calls for squarely facing history to ensure world peace.

Chinese people tend to draw lessons from history and have a long tradition of honoring historical figures who contributed greatly to the mankind's advancement. High-profile activities marking the 2,565th anniversary of the birth of ancient philosopher Confucius were held recently.

Commemorating deceased heroes transcends national borders. Xi has presented wreaths to memorials in at least 11 countries on state visits since he assumed presidency last year. Further, the remains of 437 Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War returned to China in March from the Republic of Korea.

To remind people to look in retrospect, three national days were set this year. Besides Sept. 3 and Sept. 30, Dec. 13 was set as "National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims."

We can never show too much respect for heroes, as they are our guide to the future.