1839 British forces seize Hong Kong
British forces capture Hong Kong, which is subsequently ceded to Britain by China at the end of the first Opium War in 1842

1842 Treaty of Nanking
The First Opium War ends with the island of Hong Kong, and extensive new trading rights, ceded to Britain in the Treaty of Nanking

1941 December 25 Japanese take Hong Kong
Hong Kong surrenders to an invading Japanese force

1997 Hong Kong reverts to China
Hong Kong reverts to China with the end of Britain's 99-year lease of the New Territories

1998 Hong Kong International Airport
The British architectural firm of Foster & Partners completes the Hong Kong International Airport