A 1936 Xi’an Incident commemorative medal with a red ribbon.

The Xi’an Incident, also known as the Double Twelve Incident, occurred on December 12, 1936, in Xi’an, China. It was a pivotal event where two Nationalist generals, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng, kidnapped Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the Republic of China. Their aim was to force Chiang to form a united front with the Chinese Communist Party to resist the Japanese invasion.

This incident led to a temporary truce between the Nationalists and Communists and is considered a crucial turning point in Chinese history, paving the way for a more unified resistance against Japan. Commemorative medals like this one were likely issued to mark the event or to honor those involved, reflecting its historical significance.