Portuguese explorer Jorge Alvares becomes the first European to visit HK

The Canton officer Wang Hong reclaimed the sovereignty of Tuen Mun, which was captured by the Portuguese in 1517.

Macau became a Portuguese colony

All British merchants ordered to leave Canton and many seek refuge in Hong Kong

All British merchants ordered to leave Canton and many seek refuge in Hong Kong

After the Opium War had drawn to a close, famine struck the Canton Province, driving male labourers from regions like Sze Yup and Sam Yup to abscond to overseas by way of Hong Kong the entrepot.

Those Chinese foreign workers unable to return home alive wished to have their casketed bodies transported back for burial in their native hometown as their final resting place.

Because of Hong Kong’s convenient entrepot status since the very beginning of its establishment, the colony served as an essential bridge connecting overseas Chinese people with their roots in the mainland. For instance, the bone repatriation-reburial ser

Parsis Zoroastrians made substantial purchases in the first land auction in Hong Kong

"The Chief Magistrate's Court was established. Major William Caine was appointed to the post of Chief Magistrate, responsible for public security and sentencing of criminals and thus had power over arrest, conviction and imprisonment. To facilitate safer and more effective transportation of criminals between processes of prosecution, trials and imprisonment, Caine, acting as the head of the pre-Hong Kong Police Force also, ordered for the construction of the Victoria Gaol (which was later renamed as the Victoria Prison). Consequently, Caine assumed the role of chief warden of the prison. The Chief Magistrate's Court was established. Major William Caine was appointed to the post of Chief Magistrate, responsible for public security and sentencing of criminals and thus had power over arrest, conviction and imprisonment. To facilitate safer and more effective transportation of criminals between processes of prosecution, trials and imprisonment, Caine, acting as the head of the pre-Hong Kong Police Force also, ordered for the construction of the Victoria Gaol (which was later renamed as the Victoria Prison). Consequently, Caine assumed the role of chief warden of the prison. The Chief Magistrate's Court was established. Major William Caine was appointed to the post of Chief Magistrate, responsible for public security and sentencing of criminals and thus had power over arrest, conviction and imprisonment. To facilitate safer and more effective transportation of criminals between processes of prosecution, trials and imprisonment, Caine, acting as the head of the pre-Hong Kong Police Force also, ordered for the construction of the Victoria Gaol (which was later renamed as the Victoria Prison). Consequently, Caine assumed the role of chief warden of the prison. The Chief Magistrate's Court was established. Major William Caine was appointed to the post of Chief Magistrate, responsible for public security and sentencing of criminals and thus had power over arrest, conviction and imprisonment. To facilitate safer and more effective transportation of criminals between processes of prosecution, trials and imprisonment, Caine, acting as the head of the pre-Hong Kong Police Force also, ordered for the construction of the Victoria Gaol (which was later renamed as the Victoria Prison). Consequently, Caine assumed the role of chief warden of the prison. The Chief Magistrate's Court was established. Major William Caine was appointed to the post of Chief Magistrate, responsible for public security and sentencing of criminals and thus had power over arrest, conviction and imprisonment. To facilitate safer and more effective transportation of criminals between processes of prosecution, trials and imprisonment, Caine, acting as the head of the pre-Hong Kong Police Force also, ordered for the construction of the Victoria Gaol (which was later renamed as the Victoria Prison). Consequently, Caine assumed the role of chief warden of the prison. "

The Victoria Prison was established.

Britain declared Hong Kong a Free Port. The policy attracted capital, goods and merchants from all over the world, turning Hong Kong into a famous entrepot in the Far East.

Commodore James Bremer, commander-in-chief of the British forces in China, takes formal possession of Hong Kong on 26 January 1841.

British took possession of Hong Kong.

The British officially occupy Hong Kong.

William Caine is appointed Hong Kong’s first chief Magistrate.

The Hong Kong Gazette began publication.

When Hong Kong first becomes a colony, the population of Hong Kong Island is 7,450. People are distributed in large villages, fishing villages and quarries. Central, Sheung Wan and Sai Wan are the Chinese settlement areas.

Hong Kong’s first newspaper, “The Hong Kong Gazette” is founded by John R. Morrison and funded by the British Trade Commission.

The first census in Hong Kong returns a population of 5650.

Fatal Malaria breaks out in Chinese settlement areas of west Wong Nai Chung Gap; Central; and Sheung Wan.

In a land auction at the beginning of the colonial era, Jardine, Matheson and Co. successfully bid for East Point, the land on which the Wellington Barracks will later be built.

34 lots are sold through bidding processes in Hong Kong’s first land sale

Postal Department and Post Office established in the colony.

Protestant Christian missionaries began work on evangelising the Chinese population

Hong Kong's entrepot function was established, where Chinese food exports were traded in for foreign goods in the Western Imperialists’ imposition of a trade expansion programme on China.

On the emergence of Sheung Wan District as a heart of economic activities in the local Chinese community of past Hong Kong, the merchants of Nam Pak Hong Union convened at a market area comprised of Bonham Strand, Bonham Strand West (colloquially also kno

The Jardine family arrive at East Point and begin to build warehouses and office buildings.

Mexican and Spanish silver dollars as currency.

Hong Kong is established under the Treaty of Nanking.

The Hong Kong Government resettled the Chinese residents in the Central Market to the section around Tai Ping Shan Street.

The establishment of Legco resulted in the appointment of four Official members, with the Governor positioned both as Member and President.

East Point becomes the Headquarters of Jardine, Matheson and Co.

Sir Henry Pottinger develops the Tai Ping Shan Street area.

The British Hong Kong government is officially founded. The government decides to move all the Chinese living in Central to the Victoria Peak area.

Sir Henry Pottinger becomes the first Governor of Hong Kong.

The Legislative Council is established under the “Charter of the Colony of Hong Kong”.

Hong Kong’s first private hospital, The Seamen’s Hospital and the first missionary hospital, The Hospital of Medical Missionary Society are established.

Thomas W. Waldron is the first United States Consul in Hong Kong.

The Legislative Council held its first councils meeting.

Sir John Francis Davis becomes the second Governor of Hong Kong.

Robert M. Martin is appointed Hong Kong’s first Colonial Treasurer.

The criminal and admiralty court began operation of trying criminal cases involving British nationals on Hong Kong Island and in China according to British Martial Law after its relocation from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. Sir Henry Pottinger, the first Governor of Hong Kong and Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in China, became the Chief Magistrate, and Lieutenant-Governor Sir George D’Aguilar became the Deputy Magistrate.

The Supreme Court of Justice (The High Court of Justice) was established under No. 15 of The 1844 Ordinance of Hong Kong passed by Legco. It was renamed to the High Court of Justice after the 1997 handover as it had never been the highest court of appeal within the Hong Kong legal jurisdictions (the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council based in Westminster, London being the one) despite its titular eponymity.

The High Court of Justice was formally assumed duties. British Judge J. W. Hulme was appointed first Chief Justice.

The establishment of the Ice House Company.

The China Mail first published.

P.&O. Steam Navigation Co. establishes monthly mail route.

China Mail began publication.

Hong Kong Club was set up by set up by British merchants and civil servants. Chinese, Indians, Eurasians and women were not allowed to enter the club.

The Hong Kong Club opens.

Upon return to Britain from his touring of China, the Right Reverend George Smith of the Church Missionary Society from England wrote a letter to the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, Earl Grey, in heavy criticism of the imposition of curfew on the Hong Kong populace.

Man Mo Temple was built in Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan.

The Central Magistracy was built.

Sir George Bonham became the third Governor of Hong Kong.

The Asile de la Sainte Enfance, an orphanage run by the Sister of St Paul de Chartres from France is establised in Wan Chai.

The Hong Kong government founds the Committee of Public Heath and Cleanliness, and committee members propose ways to improve environmental hygiene. They recommend a citywide drainage system, better cleanliness and maintenance of the streets, and a strict hygiene code to be followed by everyone. Nevertheless, the general hygiene situation is still not improved.

Opening of St. John’s Cathedral.

The first two Unofficial member of the Legislative Council was appointed in history.

Refugees of the Taiping Movement started to arrive in Hong Kong, and many continued to other countries to work as coolies. Hong Kong became a thriving place for the coolie trade and the maritime industry.

The governor of Hong Kong initiates the land reclamation scheme in Hong Kong.

Situated in Tai Ping Shan Street, Kwong Fook I Tsz, also popularly known as the Pak Shing Temple, accommodated the tablets of the deceased Mainland Chinese who worked in Hong Kong.

The pro bono temple later became a shelter for the destitute and those who were critically ill but unwilling to seek medical attention. The shelter was eventually found in extremely poor hygiene and covered by a local English newspaper.

Governor, Sir Richard G. MacDonnell, ordered the construction of a hospital alongside governmental provisions of land and funding to cater to the needs of the local Chinese population.

The Portuguese navy intercepted an English pirate ship in waters across Ningbo in China. The captain of the ship W. Fenton escaped after his arrest and continued in piracy in Chinese waters, only to be captured again not long after, this time by the Qing Chinese navy. Fenton was transferred to the British Hong Kong authorities for trial.

The annual total of criminals jailed in Hong Kong amounted to three to four thousands, signifying a supersaturated density of prisoners over a small compacted space of cells.

A fire in Sheung Wan destroys Kwan Tai Lo. Around this time, many Chinese flee to Hong Kong due to the Taiping rebellion in Mainalnd China.

The Cricket Club established.

Influx of Chinese refugees.

Rules on coolie migration promulgated.

Parsis are buried in the Parsi Cemetary in Happy Valley

Fenton was cleared of all of his charges by the High Court of Appeal. The sentencing however enraged the Portuguese, and as a result of their strong opposition, the court repealed its decision and aggravated to a 3-year jail term for Fenton instead.

The Taiping Movement refugees start to arrive in Hong Kong.

A British missionary launched the first Chinese newspaper, Chinese Serial. By eliminating the language barrier, the newspaper attracted a lot of Chinese readers and the era of Chinese newspapers began. Although with a religious background, its content focused mainly on politics, secondly on culture and sciences, and lastly, preaching. The newspaper was terminated on the 1st May, 1856 (issue 34).

Lee Sing and Lee Leung buy land in Sai Wan and start a trading company.

Hong Kong's population surges to 55,715.

Lee Sing and his cousin Lee Leung come to Hong Kong to start their own business. They begin as currency exchange brokers.

Sir John Bowring becomes the fourth governor of Hong Kong.

The Royal Hong Kong Regiment was formed.

During the Second Opium War, Lee Sing subsides 100,000 to the British army, earning appreciation and trust from the Hong Kong government. Lee Sing also provides the British Hong Kong government and the British army with supplies. Lee Sing gets involved in the government's land reclamation project.

The structure of Legco was revised again to include the addition of two Official members and one Unofficial member.

Ordinance No. 12 of 1857, “The Ordinance of Checking the Spread of Venereal Diseases” makes prostitution lawful.

Lamont and Hope docks built in Aberdeen.

China blocked trade in Canton. (Now Guangzhou)

The Hong Kong Telegraph was launched.

Hong Kong Daily Press was launched.

Mass exodus of Chinese because of blockade by China.

The Chinese and The Foreign Gazette began publication and continued for 15 years.

The land reclamation project continues, and with it Wing Lok Street and Ko Sing Street are created.

Sir Hercules Robinson becomes governor of Hong Kong.

Establishment of the Aberdeen Dockyards built by John Lamont.

The Lock Hospital is Hong Kong’s first hospital specialized in venereal diseases.

Between the years of 1860 and 1870, trafficking in women and children in Hong Kong had reached an egregious magnitude.

Europeans moved their residences to the Mid-levels and the Peak.

The Hong Kong government plans to expand the Chinese settlement area from Bonham Strand West to Sai Wan.

Convention of Peking ratified, formalizing lease of the Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutters Island to Britain in perpetuity.

The Botanic Garden laid out.

The Central Police Station was built.The Central Police Station was built.

Upon graduation from St. Paul's College in Hong Kong, for thirteen years Wu Ting-fang served as an interpreter in the Magistrate's Court of the colony.

Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce founded.

The concession to supply gas to the City of Victoria, was obtained from governor Sir Hercules Robinson by William Glen. The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (HKCG) was established due to that and this company was the first privately run public utility in Hong Kong.

The Government Central school established.

Pok Fu Lam Reservoir completed. It is the first drinking water reservoir.

Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Company was founded.

Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Company acquired the Aberdeen Dock.

The land reclamation project advances and New Market Street is created.

Lee Leung passes away and Lee Sing becomes the decision maker of the Lee family, starting up various businesses and investing in real estate. After becoming involved in the government's land reclamation scheme, he builds Lee Sing Street and gains large profits from his real estate business.

The headquarters of Jardine, Matheson and Co. moves to Pedder Street.

Gas street lighting introduced.

First stage of the Botanic Garden was opened to the public.

Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Company built the Union Dock in Hung Hom.

The Hong Kong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co. was established.

First Companies Ordinance enacted.

Hong Kong Shang Hai Bank founded.

Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell became governor of Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Mint opened.

Ships started to sail regularly between Hong Kong and San Francisco.

The blockade of Hong Kong by Chinese customs cruisers.

Nam Pak Hong Chamber of Commerce Building was opened following its complete construction in Bonham Strand. The building underwent reconstructions thrice at later times.

Partnered with another ethnic minority, Sir Catchick Paul Chater, to form a company that dealt in real estates

The government plans to expand the land reclamation project to Section A of Lot No. 37, west of the Bonham Strand East - Morrison Street intersection. Bonham Strand West is created.

After the Nam Pak Hong Association is founded on Bonham Strand West, the street also becomes known as Nam Pak Hong Street. In the late 1960s, the street is mostly inhabited by businessmen who specialise in the trading of goods between Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Shantou.

The Hong Kong Mint closed.

Hong Kong Fire Brigade established.

Visit of Duke of Edinburgh and royal opening of the City Hall.

First City Hall opened.

The opening of the Suez Canal, which connected the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, reduced the sea voyage distance between Europe and Asia significantly. Also, the speed and carrying capacity of Western merchant ships improved with the invention of steamships. As a result, ocean-going shipping became more profitable and benefited maritime activities in Hong Kong and other Treaty ports in China.

Cases of human trafficking increased to severe level after 1870

Hong Kong’s close proximity to China and a lack of immigration control codes in place turned the British dependency into an entrepot for human trafficking. Illicitly traded victims were often forced into prostitution, coolie labour and the mui-tsai system

Dense population around the Tai Ping Shan area.

In view of the appointment of Wu Ting-fang as the first ethnic Chinese barrister in Hong Kong, progressive westerners contended that a respected Chinese elite as Britishly well-educated as Wu, should be exempted from the extensive curfew order that only applied to Chinese. Nevertheless, the majority of the western community was still of the proposition for the sustenance of curfew in continuity of the segregation, monitoring and the exertion of control of the Chinese community. This most definitely epitomises a blunt utterance of racial discrimination rather than a realisation of justice through the practice of law. Wu Ting-fang, the subject of the centre of debate, though dared not to file for exemption either in anticipation of increasingly frequent and severe street harassments of all the other Chinese by the British Police Force in the forms of frisking and questioning had he applied. Wu deemed this highly probable outcome as a setback to the fight to free all Chinese from the unreasonable restriction the curfew had imposed on them. In the same year, the inauguration of the progressive thinker of a Governor Sir John Pope Hennessy brought new hopes for social reforms including the abolition of curfew to better the welfare of the local Chinese.

When plague breaks out in 1870s, Chinese patients are not willing to go to western hospitals, and so there is a need to establish a Chinese hospital.

The coolie trade declined rapidly. The development of Hong Kong's maritime industry became more reliant on ocean-going shipping, transshipment trade and the shipbuilding industry

Built the Hong Kong Botanical and Zoological Gardens: The Pavilion

The Smallpox Hospital is the first hospital specialized in epidemiological diseases in Hong Kong.

Submarine telegraph cables landed at Pokfulam to link between Europe and Hong Kong.

A.S. Watson & Co registered.

The amalgamation of a handful of Chinese businessmen begot the establishment of Tung Wah Hospital, the inauguration ceremony of which was held in 1872. The hospital underwent major reconstruction in 1934.

The founding of the Tung Wah Hospital, which treats Hong Kong Chinese with Chinese medicine, is approved by the government. The hospital becomes the first Chinese hospital in Hong Kong.

Sir Arthur Kennedy becomes governor of Hong Kong.

Tung Wah Hospital officially established.

The China Navigation Co. established.

The China Navigation Co. established.

The introduction of “Protection of Women — Emigration Abuse Ordinance” instigated the prohibition of trafficking in women and children.

The First central Praya reclamation completed.

Wu Ting-fang funded his study of Law in the UK independently.

The Lunatic Asylum is established.

Po Fu Lam tunnel, the first water supply tunnel constructed.

The graduation of Wu from University College London was succeeded by his being called to bar as the first ethnic Chinese to qualify in the UK in history. Wu returned to Hong Kong to practice law, on the return trip of which, met Governor Hennessy for the first time.

The Hennessy Period lasting between 1877 and 1883 saw an improvement towards a judicial system of equality and the eradication of a range of cruel tortures specifically against the Chinese.

Sir John Pope Hennessy became governor of Hong Kong.

Ng Choy, first Chinese barrister admits to the bar.

Governor Hennessy suspended the curfew for two days in welcoming and celebrating the arrival of the two English Princes on tour, Albert Victor and George, in the territory.

Po Leung Kuk (PLK) was founded. Part of Tung Wah Hospital was lent out to PLK for office and operational space.

In light of the rise in illegal human trafficking, former Directors of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and a powerful group of Chinese entrepreneurs submitted a joint petition to the Governor Sir Hennessy for the establishment of Po Leung Kung Kuk, which was

Tung Wah Hospital provided the upper floors of Ping On Building (Peace Building) and Fuk Shau Building (Longevity Building) for the office administration of Po Leung Kuk and the temporary accommodation of rescued women and children.

Wu was appointed Justice of the Peace by Governor Hennessy.

Secular system of education introduced to government schools.

Grant-in-aid schools to have freedom of religious instruction.

China Sugar Refining Co. incorporated.

In the court hearing on a case of illegal children trafficking held by the then Chief Justice Sir John Smale, Smale made a public condemnation of the traditional mui-tsai scheme which instigated widespread responses in the society.

Smale cited the British Law in advocating the abolition of slave-girls i.e. mui-tsai keeping in Hong Kong:

Appointment of Ng Choy as unofficial member of the Legislative Council.

Edison invented electric lamp.

The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, or popularly referred to as Lok Sin Tong was founded in Blacksmith Street, Kowloon Walled City (now Tung Lei Road in Kowloon City). The office building of Lok Sin Tong currently in use is posited in Lung Kong

An estimated 23 villages existed in Kowloon Walled City (with the overall East end point lying in Sai Kung, stretching far to its western periphery on Tsuen Wan).

Beginning in the mid-18th century before the charitable organisation was officially established and given a name, the role played by Lok Sin Tong in Kowloon Walled City was similar to that of a mediator, settling clan disputes in a fair and respectable ma

Later, an affiliated group of local Chinese merchants set up and managed a standardised public scale at Lung Chun Pier as a preventive measure of business disputes on the quantity and thus value of goods to ensure fair trades between the mainland and the

Trade Unions were established Internal causes: 1. Inflation 2. Low wages and long hours 3. The contract system rips off the workers 4. Chinese mariners were treated unfairly External causes: Inspired by Labour's Day celebrated in the West

Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception opened on Caine Road

Wu was commissioned as the first ethnic Chinese Unofficial member of the Legislative Council (Legco), the advisory body to the Governor of Hong Kong at the time. His role was to act as a bridge between local residents and the colonial government by consulting and reflecting the views and opinions of the Hong Kong people in the councils.

Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Company acquired the Cosmopolitan Dock in Tai Kok Tsui.

Kowloon Ferry Cp. commenced cross harbour ferries.

Ng Ting-fong appointed the first Chinese Legislative Councillor.

An amendment was made to the legislation by Legco. The newly revised order stipulated the lifting of compulsory kerosene lamps which Chinese citizens in possession of a valid permit allowing them to be out of doors must travel with during curfew hours, unless otherwise directly commanded by the Governor in the Gazette; and that should such constitutional order take place, a handheld kerosene lamp or lit lantern would serve a company of less than 12 adequately.

Ships stopping at Hong Kong, Macau and Vancouver set sail.

The marriage of Ho Kai and Alice Walkden.

City telephone communications commenced.

Osbert Chadwick submits a sanitary report to the Hong Kong government and the government establishes the Sanitary Board in the following year. However, because the policies of the Sanitary Board are controversial in Chinese society, the implementation sanitary measures is procrastinated.

Publication of Chadwick’s report on sanitary conditions in Hong Kong.

Ho Kai is the first Hong Kong Chinese to hold dual professional titles of Doctor in Medicine and Barrister at Law.

Indo-China Steam Navigation Co. founded.

Directors of Po Leung Kuk lodged a joint letter with influential Chinese entrepreneurs to the Governor, emphasising the legitimacy of the mui-tsai system as a conventional custom observed by traditional Chinese families, and as that demanded a policy of n

Sir George Ferguson Bowen became the 9th Governor of Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Observatory is established. Dane William Doberck is appointed the first director.

The Sanitary Board was established.

The membership of Legco was expanded to include 7 Official members and 5 Unofficial members, one of whom must be of Chinese descent.

establishment of Hong Kong Jockey Club racial segregation policies were implemented by the colonial government: Grandstand for British and Europeans was built with stone, while that for Chinese was built with bamboo and wood, known informally as 'the stab

Ordinance No. 1 of 1884, titled “Medical Registration Ordinance” requires all physicians to be licensed before they can treat patients for monetary reward.

Financial crisis.

Hong Kong Jockey Club founded.

The Jardine Matheson & Co. formed The Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company, providing warehouse storage services to the transshipment business.

Patrick Manson founded Dairy Farm Co.

Hongkong & Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co. formed.

During his days at Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, Sun Yat-sen gathered around him a few radicals such as Chan Siu-bak (1869-1934), Yeung Hok-ling (1888-1934) and Yau Lit (1864-1936), with whom Sun shared common political ideas. Yeung Yiu Kee a

The Alice Memorial Hospital is founded to train medical students.

The Alice Memorial Hospital and the Nethersole Hospital are Hong Kong’s first teaching hospital.

Sir George William des Voeux becomes governor of Hong Kong.

College of Medicine for the Chinese established. Sun Yat-sen becomes an early student.

A system of partial elections is established, allowing selected individuals to vote for members on the Sanitary board.

Hong Kong College of Medicine founded.

The Peak Tramway went into commission

The "European District Preservation Ordinance" - prohibited the building of Chinese-style houses in residential areas

Started or initiated the development of Hong Kong: Star Ferry

The dockyard built by Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Company became the main site for the maintainence of British naval vessels. By this time, the company had become the leader in building merchant vessels in Hong Kong. They had also built many British naval vessels in the Far East.

Peak tram started service.

Legco passed a new law stipulating that only under the joint constitutional order for curfew published by the Governor and the Executive Council in the Gazette must the Chinese citizenry carry an Annual Pass as proof for permission to be out of doors at the hours between 9pm and 5am; under normal circumstances, the curfew order should be carried out as non-existent.

Lee Sing and Tang Tingshu, the comprador of Jardine, Matheson and Co. found a joint venture, buying land as well as building piers and warehouses.

Hongkong Land is formed and Lee Sing is one of the shareholders, and also one of the two Chinese in the Board of Directors in the company.

Lee Sing invests in building houses in Sheung Wan and developing Ko Shing Street. Ko Sing Street soon is known as "Chinese Medicine Street". Other properties Lee Sing develops include Tsung Sau Lane East, Tsung Sau Lane West and the seven terraces in Sai Wan.

Duke of Connaught laid foundation stone for Sir Catchick Paul Chater’s praya reclamation.

Power supply begins on Hong Kong Island.

Sir William Robinson becomes governor of Hong Kong.

Yeung Ku-wan founded and led the Furen Literary Society to spread ideas of revolution against the monarchy of the Qing dynasty for the establishment of a republic in China.

Gas lighting was introduced in Kowloon.

The Alice Memorial Hospital provides nurse training.

The epidemic of bubonic plague in urban districts was the cause of mortality amongst the lower class. Volunteers of Lok Sin Tong collected unclaimed bodies lying on the road and arranged free burial services for the deceased at either one of its two potte

From 1894 onwards, the Hong Kong government demolishes houses in the Chinese settlement in the Peak area, where the plague started. After that, the entire area is replanned and rebuilt.

The first case of bubonic plague in Hong Kong is diagnosed by Dr. James A. Lowson.

Outbreak of the bubonic plague.

Sir Kai Ho initiated a signature campaign to urge Britain to introduce political reform in Hong Kong. He proposed that unofficial members of the Legislative Council should be allowed to debate and to vote. Also, non-British citizens should have the right to elect members of the Legislation Council.

The plague breaks out and the Hong Kong government declares Hong Kong to be an infected area.

There are too many patients and hospitals are full. Doctors go on strike because of the heavy workload and the fact that are risking their life as frontline workers in the plague battle.

The Hong Kong government allows Hong Kong Chinese people to go to Guangzhou to see a doctor conditionally.

Sun Yat-sen, Yeung Ku-wan and Tse Tsan-tai (co-founder of Furen Literary Society) both wanted to take advantage of the uneasy political situation due to the First Sino-Japanese War to overthrow the Qing government, and agreed to merge Furen Literary Socie

Assisted by Japanese filmmaker Shokichi Umeya, Sun and Yeung went into exile after the government of Hong Kong forbade their entrances into the territory for five years under pressure from the Qing government. Sun fled to Yokohama, Japan.

Shokichi Umeya financially supported Sun's revolutionary activities over a period of nearly 20 years, including the purchases of armouries.

After the First Sino-Japanese War, under the protection of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, foreign-owned enterprises sprang up in the Treaty Ports. As an important base for foreign businesses to trade with China, Hong Kong's maritime industry grew steadily.

The membership of Legco underwent further expansion to include 8 Official members and 6 Unofficial members.

Sun Yat-sen was kidnapped in London by the Qing embassy. Luckily, he was released after the incident was reported by his teacher, James Cantlie, and published in The Globe. Then, Sun Yat-sen came to recgonize the power of public opinion.

The population of Hong Kong (including the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories) reaches 254,400.

The plague returns, and the government enforces compulsory disinfection measures in buildings.

The Hong Kong government investigates Chinese residences. Houses that do not meet the hygiene standard are either repossessed and demolished, or forced to renovate. The government shows unprecedented determination and stringency when dealing with the sanitary problems in the Hong Kong society. It also adopts Chadwick's suggestion of building a drainage system.

After the outbreak of plague, the Hong Kong government reforms the Sanitary Board, which specialises in community hygiene affairs. Under the new policy, it is mandatory for the president of the Sanitary Board to know Chinese, so that he/she can communicate with Chinese unofficial members of the Legaslative Council. Among the unoffical members in the Sanitary Board, Chinese hold a number of seats.

The Second Convention of Peking is signed. The New Territories is leased to Britain for ninety-nine years.

Sir Henry Blake becomes governor of Hong Kong.

Enactment of the Misdemeanors Punishment Ordinance in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Cotton Spinning, Weaving and Dyeing Co. opened.

Green Island Cement Co. founded.

The first issue of "China." was published to spread the idea of revolution. The general office of the press was set up in Stanley Street, Central, with Chan Siu-bak as president and Wong-Sai-chung appointed as chief editor.

Yeung Ku-wan returned to Hong Kong and opened a private tutorial school teaching English in Gage Street, Central.

The completed construction work of Tung Wah Coffin Home in Sandy Bay, Pokfulam was presented as a resolution to the inadequacies of the original coffin home located in Kennedy Town near a slaughterhouse.

The early 20th century was marred by outbreaks of terminal plagues.

Clara Haslewood, wife of Commander Haslewood in the Royal Navy stationed in Hong Kong, published a barrage of critical letters in the press in her advocacy of the anti-mui tsai campaign, after attending a discussion on the issue of slave-girls keeping by

Developed the Tsim Sha Tsui area. A road is named after Mody.

The Sincere Department Store opens at Queen’s Road is the first department store owned by Hong Kong Chinese.

Sun Yat-sen sent Chan Siu-Bak to Hong Kong to publish a propaganda newspaper, China Daily, for the Revive China Society. He chose Hong Kong as the base of the revoluntary newspaper because of its proximity to China and also its relative freedom of the press.

Yeung was in Hong Kong in preparation of another uprising in Guangdong.

The Hong Kong government introduced the Hong Kong Tramway Ordinance which encouraged corporations to invest and run the electric tram system in Northern Hong Kong Island.

Yeung was assassinated in Hong Kong by an agent sent by the Qing government.

Yeung’s body was buried in the Hong Kong Cemetery in Happy Valley.

In between 1901 and 1902, merchant Li Ki-tong acquired five to six acres of land around Castle Peak Farm, which he provided to the Revive China Society as their secret base for firearms storage and sustenance.

The Hong Kong government seizes the opportunity to claim the land around Lower Lascar Row and Ladder Street after a fire.

Dr. Ho Ko-tsun is the first Hong Kong Chinese appointed laboratory assistant to the Government Bacteriologist.

The Hong Kong tramway system was built between Sheung Wan and Tin Lok Lane. It was later extended to Kennedy Town and Causeway Bay, running along the harbour while the land reclamation project was in process.

Due to financial difficulties, Man Yu Tong Printing Press became the new publisher of China Daily, under Sun Yat-sen's arrangement.

The government reserves a plot of land on The Victoria Peak and builds the Blake Garden.

The first Hong Kong cinema, Empire Cinematograph Theatre.

China Light and Power began operation.

The South China Morning Post was launched. Tse Tsan-tai, a member of the Revive China Society, and Alfred Cunningham, issued 6,000 public shares at the price of HK$25 each, raising HK$150,000 and estalishing a limited company.

Tse Tsan-tai frequently published his propaganda articles in South China Morning Post, which was the first English newspaper targeted at the general public.

The tramway was divided into three sections: from Kennedy Town to the General Post Office (GPO) on Pedder Street, from the GPO to Causeway Bay, and from Causeway Bay to Shau Kei Wan. An additional tram route ran through Happy Valley.

Hong Kong's population reaches 361,206. The population growth, the scarcity of land and the economic boom in Hong Kong lead to the appreciation of land and real estate.

Sir Matthew Nathan became governor of Hong Kong.

Electric tramways starts running on Hong Kong Island.

Hong Kong Standard Time is established, which is eight hours in advance of the Greenwich Mean Time.

The Tongmenghui (the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) was a secret society and underground resistance movement founded by Sun Yat-sen, Song Jiaoren and others in Yokohama in Tokyo, Japan. In the same year, a branch was established in the original site of t

The Tongmenghui put together guest houses exclusively for revolutionaries at several points around Hong Kong.

Rosary Church opened in Tsim Sha Tsui with the donation by Dr. Anthony Gomes

The Chinese Revolutionary Alliance was founded and set up its branch office in the office of the chairman of the China Daily. Members of the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance frequented the newspaper office, which functioned as the guest house for them.

The Hong Kong government establishes the Bacteriological Institute.

Worst typhoon affecting international trade, and loss of life amounted to around 5% of the contemporary Hong Kong population.

The Happy Valley branch line was extended to the Wong Nai Chung Village, and in the following year, it also ran along the Happy Valley Racecourse.

Sir Frederick Lugard becomes governor of Hong Kong.

District Office is established.

The Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Co. was founded, specialising in the building of steamships.

Chinese businessman Tang Yam-nam built a fortified structure at Ha Pak Nai in Yuen Long as a base of operations and sanctuary to complement the Castle Peak Farm in aiding escaping revolutionaries as they fled across the border.

Contributed towards the establishment of the University of Hong Kong

The Kowloon-Canton Railway began service.

The Kowloon-Canton Railway opened.

The success of the 1911 Revolution resulted in the overthrow of the Qing Government and the establishment of the Nationalist Government. Flocks of imperial intellectuals and officials of the Hanlin Academy fled to Hong Kong following the downfall of Qing

The building of Tung Wah Museum was converted from the former Main Entrance Hall of Kwong Wah Hospital under the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, to collect archives and valuable relics of Tung Wah Coffin Home.

Kwong Wah Hospital was erected as the first hospital on the Kowloon peninsula to promote the practice of western medical services and medicines amongst the population of Kwang-Tung Chinese for whom the hospital was to serve.

Kowloon-Canton railway whole section opened.

The first aeroplane landed in Hong Kong.

Sun Yat-sen elected as provisional president and visited Hong Kong.

Hong Kong University founded.

The Great Hall, present-day Loke Yew Hall of The University of Hong Kong was built

As the number of tram passengers continued to grow, the Tramway company introduced 10 double-decker tramcars. These tramcars were open-top, but fitted with bench seats.

Sir Francis Henry May becomes the governor of Hong Kong.

Supreme Court Building completed.

In order to keep the service running during rainy days, canvas canopies were attached to the upper decks of the double-decker tramcars.

Because of World War I, merchant vessels from Europe decreased drastically. The British government confiscated merchant vessels in Hong Kong for purposes of war, and local maritime services suffered a major decline as a result.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange renamed.

The Lin Ma Hang mining tunnel at Sha Tau Kok is the first mining tunnel in Hong Kong.

Dr. Lai Tsi-hsi and a group of entrepreneurs based in Hong Kong presented a joint proposal to the Government to preserve Sung Wong Toi Park.

New Territories Circular Road were built. Starting from Tsim Sha Tsui, it ran along Nathan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Tai Po, Fan Ling, Sheung Shui, Au Tau , Ping Shan, Castle Peak, Tsuen Wan, and back to Salisbury Road.

23 graduates are honoured at the first degree congregation of the University of Hong Kong.

Trans-Siberian Railway completed.

The construction work of the YMCA centre was complete in Bridges Street, Sheung Wan.

"Peak District (Residence) Ordinance" - no person shall reside within the Peak District without the consent of tbe Governor in Council

Fire at race course, most of the casualties were Chinese

The great fire of Happy Valley Racecourse.

Motor buses commenced.

Tramways were rebuilt as part of the land reclamation scheme in Wan Chai. The bridge on Hennessy Road was 100 feet in width so as to allow tramcars to run on dual-gauge tracks.

Sir Reginald Stubbs becomes the governor of Hong Kong.

Beginning of May Fourth/New Culture Movement

A large number of “gold mountain banks,” which were money transfer companies offering foreign exchange services to indentured servants in North America and hence providing these Chinese nationals with a means of sending remittance back home, thrived in pr

The number of tram stations increased to 35. The tramways from Kennedy Town to Causeway Bay were dual-gauge, while those from Causeway Bay to Shau Kei Wan, and also Happy Valley branch line were single-gauge.

From the 1920s onwards, many new roads were built, which included Waterloo Road, Prince Edward Road, Argyle Street and Boundary Street. Meanwhile, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon Tsai and Kadoorie Hill were developed into Western style residential areas.

In the late 1920s, the Kowloon Motor Bus Company introduced a long-distance bus service from Mong Kok to Yuen Long.

Kowloon Motor Bus successfully bid for the bus services in Kowloon. Running from 6:15 am to 12:15 am, it operated between Tsim Sha Tsui, Sham Shui Po, Hung Hum and Kowloon City.

Irene Ho-tung, Rachel Irving and Lai Po-cheun, first 3 women students admitted to the University of Hong Kong.

A committee of Chinese elite businessmen and gentry established and organised the Society for the Protection of Mui Tsai to help regulate the system instead of ending it.

Chinese legislator Lau Chu-pak played host and moderator to the "Hong Kong Public Forum" at Tai Ping Theatre in Sai Wan, bringing to Hong Kong the first-ever conference focused on the mui-tsai issue. Among other attendees, Chinese legislator Ho Chak-sang

Christian associations held a preliminary meeting in preparation of the launch of the anti-mui tsai campaign at the original site of Yeung Siu-chun Chinese Medical Clinic in Queen's Road.

In the British parliament debate on the mui-tsai system, Secretary for the Colonies Winston Churchill argued to the House of Commons that the system should be abolished. Churchill also expressed strong grievance over the issue of Hong Kong to Governor Sir

Construction of Club de Recreio began on Gascoigne Road

Seamen’s strike in Hong Kong

The Canton–Hong Kong strike harms Hong Kong's economy, especailly the maritime industry.

The inauguration ceremony of the Anti-Mui Tsai Society was held in YMCA, announcing the setoff of the anti-mui tsai movement.

The Hong Kong Government tabled a motion for the Female Domestic Service Ordinance to the Legislative Council.

In an opening address given by Sun Yat-sen at Loke Yew Hall on a visit to HKU in 1923, the prominent figure notably remarked, ‘Hong Kong and this University were my intellectual birthplace...’

Former academicians of the Hanlin Academy/Surviving adherents of the late Qing Dynasty led by Grand Secretariat Lai Tsi-hsi, founded Hok Hoi Library in Bonham Road.

Double-decker tramcars were fitted with permanent wooden roofs.

Kai Tak Motor Bus Company Limited opened the Tsim Sha Tsui - Ma Tau Chung - Kowloon City Kai Tak Bund route. Before Kowloon Motor Bus monopolised the bus service in 1933, many other bus companies offered services in Kowloon, such as Cheung Mei Bus Company, Chun Hing Motor Bus Company, Hong Kong Tramways Limited and the Nam Hing Bus Company.

Lee Hysan founds Hysan Development Company and buys East Point from Jardine, Matheson and Co. Lee Hysan soon builds the famous Lee Garden Amusement Park. Lee Garden Hill becomes the new name referring to East Point Hill or Bowring Hill.

The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce responded by holding a neighbourhood symposium in Tung Wah Hospital in objection to the bill to end the mui-tsai practice.

The Female Domestic Service Ordinance was passed by Legco.

The China Motor Bus (CMB) is founded.

Tung Ying Hok Pok participated in the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, and won a silver cup by showcasing Hong Kong’s local sericulture techniques.

The Queen’s Theater is the first cinema to screen colour and sound movies.

Enclosed double-decker trams were introduced.

The general strike and boycott in Hong Kong.

Sir Cecil Clementi becomes governor of Hong Kong.

The Canton–Hong Kong strike harms Hong Kong's economy, especailly the maritime industry.

The Lee Theatre is built for the purpose of Cantonese opera performance. The Lee Theatre is where many film screenings and various performances take place. Before WWII, East Point is an important venue for entertainment as part of the Lee Garden business.

Chow Shou-son is the first Hong Kong Chinese appointed to the Executive Council.

Renowned Chinese writer Lu Xun gave two seminars in Young Men’s Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.), titled Silent China and The Old Tune Has Been Sung Long Enough respectively. The script of Silent China was reprinted in Overseas Chinese Daily Newspaper.

The Department of Chinese (later renamed the School of Chinese) was founded with government support under the governorship of Sir Cecil Clementi. Lecturer Dr. Lai Tsi-hsi was appointed Head of Department.

Dr. Eva Ho-tung becomes the fist woman graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, the university of Hong Kong.

The Peninsula Hotel opened.

Tung Wah Eastern Hospital was built to further efforts in propagating the application of western medicine to the Chinese population.

Part Three of the Ordinance was amended and enforced: all families with one mui-tsai or more are subject to registration within a fixed period of time, after a news report revealing the aggravated numbers of mui-tsai was published in Britain.

The membership of Legco now consisted of 10 Official members and 8 Unofficial members, which included 3 local Chinese members and 1 Portuguese national.

The China Motor Bus Company launched four routes in the New Territories, including Yuen Long, Sheung Shui, Fan Ling and Sha Tau Kok.

Sir William Peel becomes the 18th Governor of Hong Kong.

Construction of the Tang Chi Ngong School of Chinese, HKU was complete.

Tung Wah Hospital (1890), Kwong Wah Hospital (1911) and Tung Wah Eastern Hospital (1929), all founded by local Chinese elites, were consolidated into a single entity of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.

Horse racing betting is legalized, the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club is granted the monopoly to run the betting.

Heavy amount of time was invested into the careful planning to besiege a male suspect under the pseudonym Song Man-chor. The captured man later came to be known as the founding leader of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Ho Chih-minh.

The construction of the present headquarters of PLK was completed in Causeway Bay.

Hong Kong first air-conditioned cinema, King’s Theatre.

Hong Kong’s first woman, barrister, Teo Soon Kim.

The Factories and Workshops Ordinance enacted.

Fung Ping Shan Building was opened and firstly used to house the University of Hong Kong's Chinese book collection, after the decease of its donor.

After Tang Shiu-Kin and William Louey Sui Tak successfully bid for the bus service franchise in Kowloon and the New Territories, they acquired the Kai Tak Motor Bus Company Limited. With a fleet of 106 single-deck buses, they founded the Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited.

The exclusive bus franchice on Hong Kong Island was successfully bid for by Ngan Shing-kwan from the China Motor Bus Company.

Kowloon Motor Bus Company launched new bus routes in the New Territories, including Nos. 9, 15, 16, 17 and 18. These routes mainly served the northern and western areas of the New Territories, which were inhabited by the Five Great Clans of the New Territories. The bus services in New Territories operate in accordance with the lifestyle in rural areas. There were no night bus services since peasants seldom went out after dark. The routes remain unchanged until WWII.

The Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) was founded.

Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong founded.

The final construction work of Confucius Hall in Caroline Hill Road was finished. The Hall became a congregation venue of cultural importance to civilians of Chinese entity and the arts circle.

Its initial objective was to solely promote Confucian school of thought. The Hall also became a liberal assembly point for forums on the New Culture Movement and resistant forces against the Japanese.

Hu Shih was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law and appointed head of a special committee set up to investigate the future development of the Chinese Department by HKU. Hu, a leading pioneer of the May Fourth New Culture Movement, criticised that the Uni

At the recommendation of Hu Shih, Xu Dishan, a renowned sinologist, was appointed the Foundation Professor of Chinese. During his tenure, Xu reformed the education system by dividing the study of Chinese at the University into the three disciplines of lit

Sir Alexander Caldicott becomes governor of Hong Kong.

Air mail service is available via Imperial Airways.

Hong Kong dollar began to peg with British pound.

Lu Xun passed away in 1936.

Imperial Airways begins a new route between London and Hong Kong.

Sir Geoffry Northcote becomes governor of Hong Kong.

Japan invaded China. Hong Kong became the only international shipping centre in the area. Hong Kong's maritime industry experienced a rapid growth until the Japanese invasion in 1941.

On top of the amendment made by previous Governor Sir Caldecott to add imprisonment as a penalty for offences under the 1923 Ordinance in 1935, the freshly appointed Governor in 1938 Sir Geoffrey Northcote pushed through an extensive system of registratio

Ａ commemorative event was held in YMCA in the presence of Xu Disha, Xiao Hong and other personalities.

Conduction of air defence and blackout drills in Hong Kong

Xu Dishan died of heart disease.

The Battle of Hong Kong broke out when Japan’s Army launched an airstrike on the colony, causing destruction to all aircrafts in Kai Tak Airport and whereby seizing control of air sovereignty over the territory within a short couple of minutes, forcing th

At noon, the Japanese advance guard crossed the Shenzhen River to introduce a three-pronged invasion into the New Territories.

British Major General Christopher Maltby ordered that military and harbour facilities be demolished and naval vessels including HMS Tamar be scuttled as much as possible before evacuation. The Line and the whole of Kowloon was abandoned by the British tro

The stiff resistance with which the Commonwealth defences fought against Japan’s attack wreaked hefty life losses and casualties upon the units.

Before the Japanese invasion, the Kowloon Motor Bus Company operated at least 12 routes, and its business was thriving.

Sir Mark Young becomes governor of Hong Kong.

On an offer accepted by Britain, two infantry battalions known as the C Force, were summoned by the Canadian Government to reinforce the Hong Kong garrison. The infantrymen, many of whom lacked recent combat experience, marched from Nathan Road to Sham Sh

More troops from Singapore were dispatched to Hong Kong to strengthen the weak defence of the territory.

Air-raid sirens wailed

The Japanese army crossed the China-Hong Kong border and started its invasion of Hong Kong.

Japanese invasion of Hong Kong

The Japanese troops forged a sneak attack on the Shing Mun Redoubt and successfully opened a breach in the Gin Drinkers Line of Defence.

The final retreat of the Royal Scots from the untenable Kowloon Peninsula to Hong Kong Island was made three days after the Japanese’ launch of general assault.

After demands for surrender were rejected by Governor Sir Mark Young from 13th to 17th, the Japanese proceeded to attack Hong Kong Island.

It was decided that further resistance would be futile and British colonial officials headed by the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Aitchison Young, surrendered in person at the Japanese headquarters on the third floor of the Peninsula Hong Kong Hotel aft

The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong created a temporal vault in the British Crown’s rule of the colony until the Brits resumed office in Hong Kong at the end of WWII. The length of this period, three years and eight months, later became a metonym of the

The Pacific War began, and Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese army. During the occupation, as Hong Kong's ports were heavily damaged by the Japanese army, maritime services were suspended until the end of the Second World War in August, 1945.

After Hong Kong was occupied and ruled by the Japanese army, only six merged newspapers were allowed to be published.

The Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Aitchison Young, surrendered the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong to Imperial Japan. The occupation lasted for three years and eight months.

Surrender of British Forces in Hong Kong to the Japanese.

Whilst the positive outcome of intensive negotiations between China and Britain included the attainment of mutual understanding on the renouncement of British extraterritorial rights in China, the British counterpart held an evasive position on China’s re

The Japanese troops in Hong Kong constructed the biggest Chureitou, a memorial for Japanese soldiers killed in the war, of Southeast Asia on Mount Cameron.

In the three years and eight months that ensued, the Governor House underwent alterations works and Japanese architectural characteristics were added to the structure and appearance of the British building.

The Kowloon Motor Bus Company's fleet of buses were requisitionned by the Japanese during their invasion of Hong Kong. Bus services were all suspended.

The Japanese started issuing the "Japanese Military Yen" which was not backed by gold. The exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the military yen was first set at 2 to 1 in January and later at 4 to 1 in July 1942. The Japanese also outlawed any use of Hong Kong dollar and forced citizens to exchange dollars into yen as a way to take people's wealth from them.

Chinese and British governments held official meetings about Hong Kong's future status. The former insisted on recovery of sovereignty over the New Territories and even the Hong Kong Island, but this was strongly rejected by the latter. The Chinese government demanded the right to discuss the issue in future.

Arthur Morse is the first executive chairman of HSBC.

Chinese repatriation policy started.

Non-Chinese civilians arrested and interned in camps.

The Japanese enforced a repatriation policy. Up to the 19th Feburary, about 554,000 Hong Kong people were forced to leave for Mainland China.

The Japanese established their administration and commanding post in HSBC Main Building in Central. General Rensuke Isogai became the first Japanese governor of Hong Kong.

British, civilians from Allied countries, and Hong Kong government officials, including Colonial Secretary Franklin Gimson, were all confined in Stanley Internment Camp.

The 14th USAAF launched air attacks against the Japanese forces in Hong Kong, and were more intensive and frequent in the second half of 1943. The Allied air attacks mostly targeted at shipyards, docks and port facilities

Japanese Occupation began.

Towards the end of 1943, about 960,000 people were forced to leave Hong Kong by the Japanese army. The population of Hong Kong was reduced to half of its pre-war population.

Japanese military yen became sole legal tender.

The Japanese military yen became the only legal currency in Hong Kong. Newspapers were printed in broadsheet format and sold at 5 military sen.

The British government founded the "Hong Kong Planning Unit", conducting research on the reconstruction and reform of Hong Kong, including political reform. The US put occassional pressure on the Britain, supporting the stand of Chinese government.

The Japanese launches the Operation Ichi-Go in the Republic of China. The Kuomintang government is defeated and loses its control over the surrounding area of Hong Kong.

Due to the shortage of newsprint papers supplies during the Japanese occupation, the size of newspapers was reduced by half, while the price increased to 5 military yen. Under media censorship, news on social issues and international affairs published in both broadsheets and tabloids were more or less the same. However, the tabloids could still survive on the market as their featured sensational crime stories and humours and funny articles were more appealing to ordinary people during wartime.

Because it is the Japanese army's logistics base in Southern China, Hong Kong is constantly bombed. When the USAAF drops bombs on the Hong Kong & Whampoa Dockyard, more than 900 people die and more than 1,000 are injured.

Presided over by Chiang Kai-shek, the Nationalist Government of the Republic of China expressed hopes to retrieve the sovereignty of Hong Kong.

The naval task force of the British Pacific Fleet was commissioned to drop anchor in Victoria Harbour to take immediate charge over Hong Kong from the troops of defeated Japan.

The imprisoned former Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong, Franklin Gimson, released from Stanley Internment Camp, stroke to the Former French Mission Building in Central (now the Court of Final Appeal) to set up an interim government in ensuring the recovery

The British dispatched Rear Admiral Cecil H. J. Harcourt was authorised by Chiang Kai-shek, the Supreme Commander of Allied forces in the China war zone, as the head of a provisional military government in Hong Kong to represent both Britain and Chiang th

The first to arrive on the shore of Hong Kong was a Canadian-born Lieutenant of Chinese descent, William Lore, also the first Chinese officer to join the Royal Canadian Navy and the British Commonwealth Navies.

The British resumed their rule over Hong Kong. Although most of the Kowloon Motor Bus Company's former buses were destroyed during the war or reacquitionned by the Hong Kong government, . As a result, it is difficult for the company its business could continue to operate after the company's reform.

Britain resumed its rule over Hong Kong. As the Hong Kong government relaxed press censorship, the newspaper industry began to thrive soon after. This encouraged the Communist Party and the Kuomintang to publish newspapers in Hong Kong. New business and and entertainment newspapers also came onto the market. Before the Japanese occupation, 46 newspapers were published in Hong Kong, and five years after the war, the number increased to 85. During the industry's heyday in the 1970s, a total of 128 newspapers were in publication, which also played the role of monitoring the government, leading public opinions and stimulating business development.

The US 3rd Fleet sends 471 aeroplanes to raid Hong Kong. Dozens of vessels taking refuge in Victoria Harbour are hit. The airstrike makes it dangerous to travel in Hong Kong and other Japanese occupied territories, prompting the Japanese government to evacuate its citizens from Hong Kong.

The Japanese surrenders. There were only 500,000 to 600,000 citizens inhabit Hong Kong.

The 2,000,000,000 military yen in Hong Kong, issued by the Japanese government, is worth no more than mere paper.

Surrender of Japanese Forces. British rule of Hong Kong resumed.

Franklin Charles Gimson established a provisional government. Four days later Rear Admiral Cecil Harcourt and his warships entered Victoria Harbour. Since Harcourt was asked to form a military government by London, Gimson transfers the power to him and the military government is officially formed on 1st September.

Rear Admiral Cecil Harcourt and his warships enter Victoria Harbour before he forms the British military government.

The British military government officially accepts Japan's surrender. The British army not only help repair the habour and other infrastructure as soon as it returns to Hong Kong, but also help to deliver food and medicines from India, Thailand and Australia to Hong Kong. Thanks to their efforts, neither famine nor plague took place in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong recovered rapidly.

Sited in Tuen Mun, Ta Teh Institute was founded.

The Chinese Communist Party retreated to Hong Kong during the civil war with the Republicans. Ta Teh Institute was turned into a schooling base for the Communists in that period.

Premier Zhou En-lai harboured plans to transform Hong Kong into a cultural hub for the mainland intelligentsia.

The return of Sir Mark Young as Governor spearheaded a fundamental turnabout of the government's principles of policies in ruling Hong Kong.

The Young Plan was a constitutional reform proposal named after Governor Mark Young in pledging to implement representative democracy to give Hong Kong inhabitants a more responsible share of managing their own affairs in the growing shadows of Chinese in

Hong Kong population reaches a million.

Cathy Pacific Airlines is founded.

Governor Mark Aitchison Young considered political reforms which aimed at introducing representative democracy into Hong Kong. He proposed to set up a financially autonomous Municipal Council, two-thirds of its members, half Chinese and half non-Chinese, would be elected by Hong Kong citizens.

The military government ends. Sir Mark Aitchison Young resumes being the Governor of Hong Kong and proposes political reforms in Hong Kong.

Due to health problems, Young was replaced by Alexander Grantham. Grantham considered Young's plan ill-conceived as he did not believe democratic reforms would make the Chinese more loyal to Britain. As a result of the strident opposition both within the

The bombing of the Japanese Chureitou Memorial was administered in a high-profile manner by the British Office in Hong Kong.

Sir Alexander Grantham becomes governor of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s first woman solicitor, Patricia J. Loseby.

The Prevention of Corruption Ordinance was enacted in Hong Kong, based on the three Prevention of Corruption Acts, 1889 to 1906, in Britain.

British financial assistance not needed.

Ch’ien Mu together with other classical Chinese studies masters from the mainland established New Asia College at Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po. The mission of the educational institution was to facilitate cultural exchanges between the East and the West b

In the mid-50s, the Yale-China Association, an independent, non-profit organisation, secured funding from a number of US foundations for the development of the College.

After five years of running the College in Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, it was relocated to a new campus in Farm Road.

Influx of refugees from China into Hong Kong

Rapid increase in population in Hong Kong. Squatters appeared throughout Hong Kong.

As double-decker buses were firstly used by the Kowloon Motor Bus Company to run between Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon City (route No. 1), shop sign boards along Nathan Road had to be adjusted for the higher double-decker buses to pass uder.

Kowloon Motor Bus Company introduces Hong Kong’s first double-decker bus.

Issuance of Hong Kong Identity Card.

New Asia College established.

Commerce and Industry Department established.

A few thousand refugees settled in the Mount Davies areaThe Yangge Dance Incident. The government sent the refugees to Tiu Keng Leng (Rennie's Mill).

After World War II, because of the unstable political situation in China, many entrepreneurs and shipowners moved to Hong Kong along with their capital. In addition, the global situation helped to boost the growth of Hong Kong's maritime industry.

Masses of people surged into Hong Kong due to political turmoils in Mainland China. This led to a drastic increase in the number of squatters. Fires were common in these unhygienic and cramped make-shift homes.

Richard Charles Lee inherits the Hysan Development Company and starts to urabnise the area around Lee Garden Hill. The Lee Garden Hill is sliced off and many roads, including the Lee Garden Road, Hysan Avenue, Lan Fong Road, Sunning Road, Sun Wui Road, Hoi Ping Road, Yun Ping Road, Pak Sha Road and Kai Chiu Road are built. The soil from the Lee Garden hill provides material for the land recalmation site on which the Victoria Park is built.

Along the Hysan Avenue, the southest of Lee Garden Hill and the northest of the Leighton Hill, properties such as embassy buildings start to be developed.

Lok Sin Tong Primary School was opened.

The Hong Kong government stopped handing out food to refugees. Civil groups from Taiwan continued with charity food programme. Religious groups giving alms (7 religious groups handing out relief packs).

The first industrial town has been built in Kwun Tong.

A tragic fire that broke out on Christmas night devastated the squatter area in Shek Kip Mei, making more than 50,000 people homeless overnight.

A tragic fire that breaks out on Christmas night devastates the squatter area in Shek Kip Mei, making more than 50 000 people homeless overnight.

The government immediately built two-storey bungalows on the site to provide temporary shelter to the victims.

The government set up a fund for constructing multi-storey resettlement buildings and appointed a Commissioner for Resettlement to coordinate the task.

A semi-independent organisation, the former Housing Authority was also set up to provide lower middle income families low-cost housing with self-contained flats.

Eight six-storey Mark I resettlement blocks were completed in Shek Kip Mei to rehouse the fire victims.

Hong Kong’s first rooftop primary school begins to function.

The Government implemented the Rice Control Scheme to ensure stable supply and price of rice.

Hong Kong 1956 riots happened.

North Point Estate, the first low-cost housing estate built by the former Housing Authority, was completed.

The Malay States gained independence.

Hong Kong Tourist Association was founded.

The establishment of first television station in Hong Kong, Redifusion.

Hong Kong Tourist Association established.

Sir Robert Black becomes governor of Hong Kong.

The Federation of Hong Kong Industries was established.

Queen Maud Middle School was established (formerly

The Government Low-cost Housing Programme was formally implemented to provide rental accommodation of a higher quality than the resettlement estates.

The demolition of the original site of Hok Hoi Library in Bonham Road saw the book collections transferred to the City Hall Library.

Hok Hoi Library began to collaborate with the City Hall to organise free lectures on Chinese classics.

Tiu Keng Leng Police Station opened. Tiu Keng Leng became a resettlement area and was given water and electricity supply. Roads were built linking the area with Kowloon; the residents became "Hong Kong residents"。

Hong Kong was hit by Typhoon Wanda, which devastated many squatters

Due to Hong Kong Island's narrow and winding roads, it was not until the 1960s that the China Motor Bus introduced its first double-decker bus on the island. Double-decker buses were widely used from then onwards.

Typhoon Wanda.

New Asia College joined forces with two other private colleges to form the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The Office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils was established (UMELCO), with the aim of inviting citizens to put forward their views on public interest or lodge complaints against government departments.

The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization discussed on the decolonization of 14 British colonies. Representative from Poland raised that New Territories in Hong Kong is still a part of China after 1997. Thus, Hong Kong could not gain independence unlike other colonies.

Water rationing.

An Unprecedented Drought in Hong Kong. A period of water rationing starts from 1st June 1963. Water supply is available 4 hours every 4 days.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong incorporated.

The government published a white paper entitled "Review of Policies for Squatter Control, Resettlement and Government Low-cost Housing".

Sir David Trench becomes governor of Hong Kong.

The Temporary Housing Scheme was launched to accommodate those who were not immediately eligible for permanent public housing.

High-rise resettlement blocks with improved facilities were built. Starting with the Mark IV series, a private lavatory and a balcony were provided in each flat.

Establishment of "equal pay for men and women for equal work" in government departments

Fresh water supply is paid and piped to Hong Kong from the East River in China.

Bank run.

The population in public housing estates reached one million.

Secretary of State for the Colonies, visited Hong Kong. She observed that the United Nations Association of Hong Kong, founded by Ma Man-fai to fight for local autonomy, might meet the demands of different social classes.

Ellen Li becomes the first woman in Hong Kong appointed to the Legislative Council.

Trade Development Council established.

So Sau-chung began a hunger strike protest at the Star Ferry Terminal in Central District to protest against the fare increase. Urban Councillor Elsie Elliott came to show her solidarity with So.

Star Ferry fare rise led to riot.

Cultural Revolution began.

Before the Hong Kong 1967 Leftist riots, the best selling newspapers included Wah Kiu Yat Po, Sing Tao Daily, Kung Sheung Yat Po, Sing Pao Daily News and Hong Kong Commercial Daily. After the riots, the sales of the Leftist newspaper Hong Kong Commercial Daily dropped significantly.

The Chinese Language Movement started.

Leftist riots and violent explosive devices in Hong Kong and 52 killed.

District Offices set up.

Plover Cove Reservoir completed.

The first Hong Kong Festival was organized.

Queen Elizabeth grants the Hong Kong Police force with the Royal title.

Hang Seng Index launched.

In the early 70s, the entrtainment-based style of Oriental Daily News attracted a large number of working-class readers. In the early 90s, it was one of the best selling newspapers in Hong Kong.

On the request of China in 1970's, UN removed Hong Kong and Macau from its list of colonial territories. China claimed that Hong Kong issues were China's internal affairs and so denied the right of self-determination to Hong Kong people.

The Prevention of Bribery Ordinance passed in 1970 by Hong Kong government and took effect in 1971.

Pope Paul VI is the first pope to visit Hong Kong.

Wah Fu Estate, the first public housing estate planned as a self-contained community, was completed. It came with shopping malls, schools, bus terminus and other community facilities.

Enactment of the Audit Ordinance

The Public Assistance Scheme was introduced (renamed in 1993 the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme).

Sir Murray Maclehose becomes governor of Hong Kong.

Free six-year compulsory education introduced.

Coloured TV programmes began.

The government announced a Ten-year Housing Programme which targeted to provide self-contained accommodation for 1.8 million people between 1973 and 1982.

Hong Kong be removed from the list of territories to which “The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples” is applicable.

The use of Chinese language is allowed in Legislative Council meetings.

Kwai Chung Container Terminal opened.

First Cross-harbour Tunnel opened.

The original public housing bodies were reorganised and a new Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) was established to take forward the government's public housing programme.

The Vocational Training Council was established.

"Fight Corruption, Catch Godber" campaign started.

New Town Programme began.

The government also set up the Housing Department, by merging the Resettlement Department and the Building Section of the Urban Services Department, to serve as the HA's executive arm.

To speed up the HOS programme, the government invited the private sector to participate in the building of HOS flats under the Private Sector Participation Scheme (PSPS).

Redevelopment of the Mark I and Mark II blocks began, starting with those in Shek Kip Mei Estate.

Governor Murray MacLehose set up the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and appointed Sir Jack Cater as the first Commissioner. A huge number of corruption cases were uncovered. In 1975, Police Superintendent Peter Godber was arrested in England and extradited to Hong Kong for prosecution.

Chinese became an official language alongside English.

Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was established.

Chinese and English began to become statutory languages.

Consumer Council established.

Touch Base Policy began to control Chinese refugees.

Lok On Pai Desalting Plant was built.

Botanic Garden was renamed in 1975 as Botanical and Zoological Gardens to reflect the increased commitments to zoological exhibits.

First group of Vietnam refugees arrived in Hong Kong. They were all permitted to stay in Hong Kong and led many refugees arriving in the following years.

The membership base of Legco was expanded to include a maximum of 23 Official members (inclusive of 5 Ex-Officio members) and 23 Unofficial members.

The government decided to implement the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) to enable lower middle income families and public rental housing (PRH) tenants acquire their own homes.

Britain ratified The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was also applied to Hong Kong in the same year.

Mutual Aid Committees were formed in public housing estates, comprising of representatives of local residents.

Advisory Committee on Diversification was set up.

Ocean Park opened on 10th January. Governor MacLehose visited there to hold this opening ceremony.

Flats in six courts were offered for sale under the first phase of the HOS.

Hong Kong declared as "port of first asylum".

The largest reservoir, High Island Reservoir, opened.

Governor Murray MacLehose paid the first official visit to China. Deng Xiaoping made it clear that China would recover Hong Kong in 1997.

The first batch of PSPS flats was put up for sale.

Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is opened.

The reorientation of China's social policies and economic reform meant elimination of bans on direct exports from the mainland was introduced in a series of efforts to re-open China’s market to foreign investments. The consequential erosion of Hong Kong's

The number of people living on the HA's public housing estates reached two million.

District Council was established.

The government announced that the Ten-year Housing Programme would be extended for another five years to 1987.

Buying school places from private schools and implementation of nine years’ free and compulsory education

Sir Edward Youde becomes the 26th Governor of Hong Kong. The only Governor passes away in office in 1986.

Establishment of the Linked Exchange Rate System

Sino-British Joint Declaration

Legco was expanded to include a maximum of 29 Official members (inclusive of 4 Ex-Officio members) and 32 Unofficial members.

Sino-British Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong is signed.

The first election was called for the membership of Legco, resulting in a total of 11 Official members (inclusive of 4 Ex-Officio members) and 46 Unofficial members elected in place. Of the 46 Unofficial members, 22 seats were appointed by the Governor of Hong Kong, 12 elected from functional constituencies, 1 nominated by the Urban Council, 1 nominated by the Regional Council, with the remaining ten elected by an electoral college of all District Council members.

The Extended Redevelopment Programme was launched to clear sub-standard blocks built in the 1960s.

The Housing Subsidy Policy was adopted to reduce housing subsidy to better-off tenants.

China proposed to build a nuclear power plant at Daya Bay right after the Chernobyl disaster. About a million Hong Kong citizens signed a petition opposing the proposal.

Governor Edward Youde set up a planning committee for the University of Science and Technology, with the aim of meeting the needs of growing high-tech industries in Hong Kong.

Regional Council is established.

The government formulated a Long Term Housing Strategy, setting the framework for Hong Kong's housing policy from 1987 to 2001.

Sir David Wilson becomes the 27th Governor of Hong Kong.

Starting from April of the year, tenants having lived in PRH for ten years or more were required to declare their household income biennially and paid double rent if their income has exceeded the prescribed limit.

Black Monday on October 19, all stock markets in the world crash that begins in Hong Kong. Hong Kong stocks fall 45.5% by the end of the month.

Tiu Keng Leng was chosen as the first site for the development of Tseung Kwan O New Town

The addition of two members elected from functional constituencies replaced two of the directly appointed seats.

The Home Purchase Loan Scheme was launched to assist eligible families in acquiring home ownership in the private market.

Lydia Dunn is the first woman appointed Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council Member.

A Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme (CRP) was launched to gradually demolish and redevelop 566 blocks built before 1973.

Office of the Ombudsman was established.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Hong Kong Cultural Centre opened.

The Governor must appoint one Legco member as vice-president whose was responsible for overseeing council meetings at Legco. The membership of Legco was now composed of 4 Ex-Officio members (inclusive of the Governor as both the President and a member although who was no longer required to attend council meetings), 18 appointed members and 39 elected members. Of the 39 elected members, 21 seats were elected from functional constituencies, with the rest of the 18 via direct electoral process in all geographical constituencies over Hong Kong.

Redevelopment of the Mark I and Mark II buildings and the related rehousing programme were completed.

The HA began opening all its regular meetings to the public.

The University of Science and Technology opened.

The first series of Harmony blocks, which marked a new generation of public housing, were completed.

Christopher Francis Patten became the 28th and the last Governor of Hong Kong.

The Housing Subsidy Policy was reformulated, requiring well-off tenants to pay 1.5 or 2 times the net rent plus rates.

The Governor was relieved of his duties as a Legco member. He also passed presidency over to a popular member elected by the whole entity of Unofficial members in the ensuing February.

Anson Chan is the first Chinese and woman appointed Chief Secretary.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority established.

Central Mid-Level escalator opened.

A new Housing Branch under the Government Secretariat was established to formulate policies and strategies for both public and private housing development.

The HA reached a Supplemental Agreement with the government on new financial arrangements.

The Government's plan to clear up the Tiu Keng Leng resettlement area for further development was met with resistance from the residents

Within the last term of office under the governance of British colonial rule, all 60 Legco members acquired seats by popular vote through elections, 30 of which from functional constituencies, 20 directly in geographical constituencies and 10 by the Election Committee internally. The President of Legco was to be elected by popular vote by all members of Legco.

Chang, former Headmaster of Queen Maud Middle School, lowered the last ROC flag

Tiu Keng Leng is now a newly developed residential area

Following the success of a pilot scheme in the previous year, the HA decided to implement the Estate Management Advisory Committee scheme in all its PRH estates. The aim was to involve the tenants more in the management of the estates.

Lee Lai-shan won a gold medal in windsurfing at the Atlanta Olympics. Tung Ying Hok Pok participated in the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, and won a silver cup by showcasing Hong Kong’s local sericulture techniques.

The Policy on Safeguarding Rational Allocation of Public Housing Resources was introduced, whereby well-off tenants would be required to pay market rents or even vacate their PRH flats.

The HOS Secondary Market Scheme was launched to increase the turnover of HOS flats.

The first Housing for Senior Citizens in Ping Tin Estate was completed.

The handover of Hong Kong.

The Chek Lap Kok Airport opened.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) broke out.

New Government Headquarters at Tamar opened.

The Umbrella Movement