20 Jan 1841 Ceded to Britain by China (not ratified) and proclaimed annexed by Captain Charles Elliot.

26 Jan 1841 British take possession of Hong Kong Island.

29 Aug 1842 China formally cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain by Treaty of Nanking.

26 Jun 1843 British crown colony.

24 Oct 1860 Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutters Island ceded by China by Treaty of Peking (British annexation 4 Feb 1861).

1 Jul 1898 New Territories (comprising the territories north of Kowloon and 230 small islands [Lamma, Lantau, etc.]) leased from China for 99 years.

20 Feb 1900 British terminate Chinese jurisdiction over Kowloon

25 Dec 1941 - 16 Aug 1945 Japanese occupation (siege begun 8 Dec 1941).

28 Aug 1945 - 1 Sep 1946 British military rule.

19 Dec 1984 British agree on restoration of Hong Kong to China on 1 Jul 1997.

1 Jul 1997 Return of the whole colony to China as a special administrative region (see autonomous regions).