Britain Captures Hong Kong: The First Opium War Prize
The United Kingdom seizes Hong Kong as a strategic foothold, launching the opening move of the First Opium War against Qing China. This aggressive capture forces Britain into a three-year conflict that ultimately shatters Chinese sovereignty over its own trade policies and cedes the island to British rule for over a century.
August 23, 1839
187 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on August 23
Pharao Ptolemaios III. lässt den Tempel von Edfu nach einem von ihm festgelegten Grundriss bauen.
Der römische Konsul Quintus Fulvius Nobilior wird im Spanischen Krieg bei Numantia von Keltiberern überfallen und verliert eine ganze Legion.
After conquering Egypt, Octavian (the future Augustus) ordered the execution of both Marcus Antonius Antyllus, the eldest son of Marc Antony, and Caesarion, the…
Augustus used the Ludi Volcanalici — games held in the precinct of Vulcan's temple — to celebrate Rome's diplomatic triumph over Parthia and the return of the l…
Mount Vesuvius erupted on the feast day of Vulcan, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum under layers of volcanic ash and pumice. This sudden catastrophe perfectly pr…
en Roma, en medio de una tormenta de rayos se incendia el Coliseo.
Talk to History
Have a conversation with historical figures who witnessed this era. Ask questions, explore perspectives, and bring history to life.