The exact nature of Sino-Tibetan relations during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) of China is unclear. Analysis of the relationship is further complicated by modern political conflicts and the application of Westphalian sovereignty to a time when the concept did not exist. Some Mainland Chinese scholars assert that the Ming Dynasty had unquestioned sovereignty over Tibet, citing the Ming court's issuing of various titles to Tibetan leaders, Tibetans' full acceptance of these titles, and a renewal process for successors of these titles that involved traveling to the Ming capital. Scholars within China also argue that Tibet has been an integral part of China since the 13th century, thus a part of the Ming Empire. But most scholars outside China say that the relationship was one of suzerainty, that Ming titles were only nominal, that Tibet remained an independent region outside Ming control, and that it simply paid tribute until the reign of Jiajing (1521–1566), who ceased relations with Tibet.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet_during_the_Ming_Dynasty

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1777:

American Revolutionary War: The British suffered a decisive defeat at the Second Battle of Saratoga, generally regarded as a turning point in the war. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Saratoga

1849:

American writer Edgar Allan Poe died under mysterious circumstances at Washington Medical College four days after being found on the streets of Baltimore, Maryland, in a delirious and incoherent state. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Edgar_Allan_Poe

1944:

The Holocaust: When members of the Sonderkommando—Jewish work units in Auschwitz—learned that they were due to be murdered, they staged a revolt, managing to kill more than 70 SS men before being massacred themselves. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonderkommando

1976:

Hua Guofeng succeeded Mao Zedong as Chairman of the Communist Party of China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hua_Guofeng

2006:

Russian journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya was assassinated in the elevator of her apartment block in central Moscow. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Anna_Politkovskaya

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

croggy: A ride on the handlebars or crossbar of a bicycle. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/croggy

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Can you live without answers? All of you, ask that of yourself. Can you live without answers? Because if you cannot, then most assuredly you will invent your own answers and they will comfort you. And all those who do not share your view will by their very existence strike fear and hatred into your heart. What god blesses this? --Steven Erikson https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Steven_Erikson