On this date in 1979, Vietnamese forces ousted Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, ending the Cambodian leader’s three-year grip on power. From 1975 to 1979 between 1.5 and 3 million people died in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge reign of terror. The Khmer Rouge government of Pol Pot enjoyed considerable economic, military, and political assistance from the PRC, and the Vietnamese action against Pol Pot was one of several events which precipitated the Chinese invasion of Vietnam in February, 1979.
On happier note, January 7 is the “Festival of Seven Herbs” (七草の節句 nanakusa no sekku) in Japan. The Japanese eat a porridge made of seven herbs called, 七草粥, nanakusa-gayu for longevity, luck, and health.
Today is also the birthday of Sammo Hung 洪金宝. The stocky (but smooth) Hong Kong action star turns 57.